Uterine leiomyomas affect 20%-30% of women older than 35 years. Extrauterine leiomyomas are rarer, and they present a greater diagnostic challenge: These histologically benign tumors, which originate from smooth muscle cells, usually arise in the genitourinary tract (in the vulva, ovaries, urethra, and urinary bladder) but may arise in nearly any anatomic site. In addition, unusual growth patterns may be seen, including benign metastasizing leiomyoma, disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis, intravenous leiomyomatosis, parasitic leiomyoma, and retroperitoneal growth. In the presence of such a pattern, a synchronous uterine leiomyoma or a previous hysterectomy for removal of a primary uterine tumor may be indicative of the diagnosis. However, some extrauterine leiomyomas may mimic malignancies, and serious diagnostic errors may result. The most useful modalities for detecting extrauterine leiomyomas are ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The superb contrast resolution and multiplanar capabilities of MR imaging make it particularly valuable for characterizing these tumors, which usually show low signal intensity similar to that of smooth muscle on T2-weighted images. The radiologist's recognition of this and other characteristic features may help steer the clinician toward timely, appropriate management and away from unnecessary, potentially harmful treatment.
INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus, is a predominantly respiratory tract infection with the capacity to affect multiple organ systems. Abnormal liver tests, mainly transaminase elevations, have been reported in hospitalized patients. We describe a syndrome of cholangiopathy in patients recovering from severe COVID-19 characterized by marked elevation in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) accompanied by evidence of bile duct injury on imaging. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of COVID-19 patients admitted to our institution from March 1, 2020, to August 15, 2020, on whom the hepatology service was consulted for abnormal liver tests. Bile duct injury was identified by abnormal liver tests with serum ALP > 3x upper limit of normal and abnormal findings on magnetic resonance cholangiopacreatography. Clinical, laboratory, radiological, and histological findings were recorded in a Research Electronic Data Capture database. RESULTS: Twelve patients were identified, 11 men and 1 woman, with a mean age of 58 years. Mean time from COVID-19 diagnosis to diagnosis of cholangiopathy was 118 days. Peak median serum alanine aminotransferase was 661 U/L and peak median serum ALP was 1855 U/L. Marked elevations of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and D-dimers were common. Magnetic resonance cholangiopacreatography findings included beading of intrahepatic ducts (11/12, 92%), bile duct wall thickening with enhancement (7/12, 58%), and peribiliary diffusion high signal (10/12, 83%). Liver biopsy in 4 patients showed acute and/or chronic large duct obstruction without clear bile duct loss. Progressive biliary tract damage has been demonstrated radiographically. Five patients were referred for consideration of liver transplantation after experiencing persistent jaundice, hepatic insufficiency, and/or recurrent bacterial cholangitis. One patient underwent successful living donor liver transplantation. DISCUSSION: Cholangiopathy is a late complication of severe COVID-19 with the potential for progressive biliary injury and liver failure. Further studies are required to understand pathogenesis, natural history, and therapeutic interventions.
Ovarian epithelial carcinoma (OEC), the most common ovarian malignancy, is a heterogeneous disease with several histologic subtypes that show characteristic cytogenetic features, molecular signatures, oncologic signaling pathways, and clinical-biologic behavior. Recent advances in histopathology and cytogenetics have provided insights into pathophysiologic features and natural history of OECs. Several studies have shown that high- or low-grade serous, endometrioid, and clear cell carcinomas are characterized by mutations involving the TP53, K-ras/BRAF, CTNNB1, and PIK3CA genes, respectively. High-grade serous carcinomas, the most common subtype, often manifest with early transcoelomic spread of disease beyond the ovaries, whereas low-grade serous and mucinous carcinomas commonly manifest with early-stage disease, with a resultant excellent prognosis. On the basis of pathogenetic mechanisms, recent findings suggest a dualistic model of ovarian carcinogenesis consisting of types I and II. Type I (low-grade serous, mucinous, and endometrioid) cancers commonly arise from well-described, genetically stable precursor lesions (usually borderline tumors); manifest as large adnexal masses with early-stage disease; and have a relatively indolent clinical course, with an overall good prognosis. In contrast, type II carcinomas (high-grade serous, endometrioid, mixed, and undifferentiated variants) originate de novo from the adnexal epithelia, often demonstrate chromosomal instability, and have aggressive biologic behavior. Better knowledge of hereditary ovarian cancer syndromes and associated cytogenetic abnormalities has led to increased interest in novel biomarkers and molecular therapeutics. Genetic changes, pathologic features, imaging findings, and natural histories of a variety of histologic subtypes of OEC are discussed in this article.
Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are a unique group of mesenchymal neoplasms of fibroblastic or myofibroblastic origin. These tumors were originally described as "benign fibrous mesotheliomas" of the pleural cavity and were erroneously thought to be confined to the serosal surfaces (due to a putative mesothelial or submesothelial origin). It is now established that SFTs are ubiquitous neoplasms with both pleural and extrapleural distribution. Extrapleural SFTs commonly occur in middle-aged adults and manifest as asymptomatic, slow-growing, large tumors. Fewer than 5% of patients with SFTs present with symptomatic hypoglycemia. SFTs are histopathologically diverse with a variable admixture of fibroblasts or myofibroblasts, numerous thin-walled vessels, and dense fibrosis. Tumors previously categorized as hemangiopericytomas are now considered cellular variants of SFTs. At imaging, SFTs demonstrate remarkable heterogeneity, with variable degrees of enhancement, necrosis, or hemorrhage. Although most extrapleural SFTs have a benign clinical course, 10%-15% of these tumors demonstrate aggressive behavior in the form of recurrence or malignancy.
Hepatocellular adenomas are benign liver neoplasms with specific but varied histopathologic findings and tumor biology. The results from recent studies of the pathologic and genetic basis of hepatocellular adenomas provide important insights into the pathogenesis and molecular changes, as well as the putative oncologic pathways used by diverse adenoma subtypes. On the basis of the genetic and pathologic features, hepatocellular adenomas are categorized into three distinct subtypes: (a) inflammatory hepatocellular adenomas, (b) hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 α-mutated hepatocellular adenomas, and (c) β-catenin-mutated hepatocellular adenomas. Different subtypes show variable clinical behavior, imaging findings, and natural history, and thus the options for treatment and surveillance may vary. Cross-sectional imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis, subtype characterization, identification of complications, and surveillance of hepatocellular adenomas. New schemas for genotype-phenotype classification of hepatic adenomas, as well as management triage of patients with specific subtypes of adenomas, are being proposed in an attempt to improve clinical outcomes.
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