Showing papers in "Acta Pathologica Microbiologica Scandinavica Section A Pathology in 2009"

Carcinoid tumours. Frequency in a defined population during a 12-year period.

Abstract: The frequency of carcinoids was studied in a 12-year-period (1958-1969) in Malmo, a town with a population of 220,000 at the beginning of the period and 250,000 at the end of it. Of all persons who had died in Malmo, 46 per cent were necropsied in the first year of the study and 70 per cent in the last (altogether 62.6 per cent). The series was examined in a uniform way at one department of pathology. Carcinoid tumours were found in 1.22 per cent (199 patients) of patients comprised in the entire necropsy series (16,294 autopsies). Bronchial carcinoid accounted for 0.1 percent, the remaining lesions were found in the digestive tract. About 90 per cent of the carcinoids were found incidentally at necropsy. During the same period, 44 carcinoids were diagnosed in surgical specimens examined in Malmo. The average annual frequency of carcinoid in the entire series was about 8.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, which is about 7 times as high as that recorded in the National Cancer Register applying to the whole of Sweden. The value of such country-wide reports is discussed. The carcinoid syndrome is extremely rare and was observed only once during the entire 12-year-period. The localization, frequency of metastases and sex-distribution of carcinoids are described and discussed in detail.

Myxofibrosarcoma. A study of 30 cases.

Abstract: A series of 30 myxofibrosarcomas is described. These malignant soft tissue tumours are characterized by a mucoid and nodular appearance, a coarse plexiform capillary pattern, and they are mostly seen subcutaneously (26 out of 30) in the extremities (24 out of 30) and trunk (4 out of 30) elderly people. Histochemical studies, comprising staining with Alcian blue and toluidine blue at different pH's with and without preceding digestion with testicular hyaluronidase and with the Scott technique, indicated the presence of hyaluronic acid but not sulphated glycosaminoglycans as chondroitinsulphates. Myxofibrosarcoma is believed to belong to the general category of fibroblastic and histiocytic malignant soft tissue tumours. The median diameter of the tumours was 7 cm. They were divided into 4 grades according to cellularity, cell atypia and mitotic activity. The grade III and IV tumours showed pronounced atypia, often with the bi- and multinucleated giant tumour cells and occasionally with giant cells of Touton's type, suggesting a relationship to malignant fibroxanthoma. All of the patients were treated surgically and one received also pre- and post-operative irradiation. None of the 2 grade I myxofibrosarcomas recurred, while 2 out of 7 grade II tumours, 6 out of 10 grade III tumours, and 7 out of 11 grade IV tumours recurred once and up to 9 times. Metastasis appeared in 7 out of 30 patients; grade I tumours were not seen in any of these cases. By the time of follow-up after intervals ranging from 1 month up to 27 years, 14 patients had died; 6 of these had died post-operatively or of intercurrent disease. The differential diagnosis between myxofibrosarcoma and other myxoid soft tissue tumours is discussed.

Ameloblastoma of the jaws. An analysis of a consecutive series of all cases reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry during 1958--1971.

Abstract: All the 49 jaw ameloblastomas reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry during the period 1958--1971 were re-examined, using the histopathologic criteria of odontogenic tumors adopted by WHO. Thirty-one cases (63.6%) fulfilled the criteria of simple ameloblastoma, whereas 12 cases were found to be other benign lesions and 6 to be malignant tumors other than ameloblastoma. The relationship between simple ameloblastoma, malignant ameloblastoma and other epithelial jaw tumors is discussed.

Histomorphometric analysis of normal bone from the iliac crest.

Abstract: Bone specimens from a standardized area of the iliac crest were obtained at autopsy in 105 individuals after sudden unexpected death and at biopsy in 30 living volunteers. Seven micron thick sections of the plastic embedded undecalcified material were produced and stained. The amount of cancellous and cortical bone and the parameters attached to description of bone remodelling were determined by point counting and simple measurements, in order to establish normal mean values and range in a Danish population. A decrease in the amount of bone, trabecular as well as cortical, was found with increasing age in both males and females. The extent, volume and width of osteoid seams and the osteoclastic resorption were found to be age-independent. The osteoclastic resorption in cortical bone in males decreased, however, with increasing age. The reported values are of the greatest importance for the use of histomorphometric analysis of bone biopsies as a diagnostic tool in metabolic bone diseases. It is stressed, however, that supplementary information of the dynamic aspects of the bone remodelling would be necessary for the understanding of the pathogenesis of bone changes. Such information might be obtained by using tetracyline double labelling.

Determinants for the establishment of permanent tissue culture lines from human gliomas

Abstract: Malignant gliomas, in contrast to other human neoplasms, rather frequently establish themselves as permanent tissue culture lines. Still, the major part of malignant gliomas fail to do so. The object of the present investigation was to search for determinants of the primary explant for the future successful establishment. The material consisted of one medulloblastoma, one ependymoma, 4 oligodendrogliomas, 14 astrocytomas grade I and II and 68 astrocytomas grade III and IV. Established lines were obtained only from grade III and IV gliomas but with no difference between these two groups. A surprising finding was that male tumours more frequently became permanent lines (13/45) than female ones (1/23) and that a higher success rate was found among temporo-parietal tumours (12/28 of the male tumours) than among those located in the frontal lobe (1/17 of the male tumours). No connection between the histologically predominant cell type of the grade III and IV gliomas and the rate of establishment was found. Studies of the primary cultures of the gliomas implied that failure to form an established line only in a minor fraction could be ascribed to failure of the tumour cells of the explant to adhere to the solid support. This was valid for all astrocytomas grade I and II, the ependymoma and some of the grade III and IV gliomas. In the majority of malignant gliomas a rapidly occurring failure to multiply was found, leading to continuous death of the tumour cells while normal glia-like cells proliferated luxuriously and outnumbered the neoplastic component. This might depend on a deficient interaction between the tumour cell and the solid support even if lack of essential metabolites cannot be excluded.

Lobular carcinoma in situ. A long-term follow-up in 52 cases.

Abstract: During a retrospective histological study based on examination of 3299 female breast tissue specimens with otherwise benign diseases, 52 cases of lobular carcinoma in situ were found. Five cases presented previous invasive breast carcinoma, and one of these developed subsequently invasive carcinoma during the first year after the biopsy. Out of 47 cases without previous invasive breast carcinoma, 10 developed subsequently 12 invasive carcinomas. Eight were ipsilateral and were revealed within the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th, 18th, and 22nd year, respectively. Four were contralateral and were found within the 7th, 8th, 12th, and 24th year after the primary biopsy. The average follow-up period was 15 years. Strict follow-up of patients with lobular carcinoma in situ, carried out by a permanent team, is considered a realistic alternative to mastectomy.

Lipomatosis of the Pancreas In Autopsy Material and Its Relation to Age And Overweight

Abstract: Lipomatosis, regarded as deposition of fat cells in the pancreas, was investigated and graded into four groups in 394 consecutive autopsies. In all necropsies except one fat cells were present; gr. 1:51%, gr. 2:26%, gr. 3:15% and gr. 4:8%. Age as well as overweight was significantly correlated to the grade of lipomatosis. The number of necropsies with gr. 3--4 lipomatosis was significantly less in the group with long terminal illnes, indicating that the presence of fat cells in the pancreas is to some extent reversible. No evidence of pancreatic disease was mentioned in the clinical records of the patients with gr. 3--4 lipomatosis.

Schedule dependency of the antileukemic activity of the podophyllotoxin-derivative VP 16-213 (NSC-141540) in L1210 leukemia.

Abstract: The schedule dependency of the antileukemic activity and toxicity of the podophyllotoxin derivative VP 16–213 (NSC-141540) was investigated against the L1210 ascites tumour in N/D mice. In the toxicity experiments LD10 for intraperitoneal (i.p.) treatment on day 1 only, once daily for five days and once daily day 1, 5, 9 and 13 was found to be 47.0, 7.7 and 33.6 mg/kg, respectively. In the therapy experiments treatment was started 24 hours after inoculation of 105 L1210 cells i.p. The optimal concentrations gave for treatment on day 1 only 75 per cent increase in lifespan and 13 per cent cures. Daily treatment for 5 days was superior to treatment day 1 only, this was again exceeded by treatment at 2–4 days intervals. Even better results were obtained with treatment at 4 days intervals (cure rate 63 per cent), while treatment at 6–8 days intervals gave inferior results. Divided treatment every 3 hours for 24 hours demonstrated a significant superiority over a single treatment. This together with the mechanism of action could indicate, that VP 16–213 is a cell cycle specific drug.

Heterotransplantation of human adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum to the mouse mutant nude. a study of nine consecutive transplantations

Abstract: Successful heterotransplantation of 6 out of 9 consecutively transplanted adenocarcinomas of the human colon and rectum to the mouse mutant Nude is reported. Serial growth for 2–8 transfers so far was obtained in 5 cases. The transferred tumours grow locally, and metastatic growth has not been observed with certainty. The histological and cytological appearance of the transferred tumours is in full accordance with that of the primary tumours. The mutant Nude is suggested as a host for human malignant tumours as a basis for the study of tumour growth and for therapeutic assays.

Subclinical elastofibromas in the scapular region in an autopsy series.

Abstract: In a series of 235 autopsies, changes in the subcapscular thoracic fascia similar to elastofibroma dorsi (Jarvi & Saxen 1959, -et al. 1969) were found in 39 cases, all at least 58 years old. In people over 55 years, the frequency was 24.4 per cent in females and 11.2 per cent in males. In addition to hypertrophy and secondary degeneration of elastic fibres, necrosis of collagenous-, adipose-, muscular-, and nervous tissue, as well as formation of clefts, cysts and bursae was found in 85 per cent of cases presenting elastic changes--both in connection with them and outside the degenerated areas--as well as in 39 per cent of cases where no elastic degeneration occurred. Other changes included extensive scarring of the tissue, followed by reduction of fat and, more seldom, oedema and inflammatory infiltration. Breaks in the elastic cage, necrosis and fibrosis of arterial walls were found in 44 per cent of cases of elastic degeneration and in 14 per cent of cases without degeneration. In veins, more extensive wall fibrosis occurred, leading to necrosis; in cases of elastic degeneration the adventitial elastic network was also involved. Venous changes were found in 90 per cent of the cases of elastic degeneration and in 30 per cent of cases without degeneration. Direct mechanical stress on elastic tissue may be an important cause of hypertrophy and secondary degeneration of elastic fibres, and also of diffuse increase of collagenous tissue. On the other hand, nutritional deficiency due to failing resistance of the vascular system against friction of the scapula and streching movements of the upper extremities may play a main part in necrotic tissue changes.

Liver biopsies from psoriatics related to methotrexate therapy. 3. Findings in post-methotrexate liver biopsies from 160 psoriatics.

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to report findings in post-MTX liver biopsies from 160 psoriatics treated with Methotrexate (MTX) in single biopsy and B. 68 patients with serial biopsies. At the time of liver biopsy the 92 patients had received a mehosis and six patients had fibrosis. Comparing these 7 patients with patients having normal liver histology (13 patients) revealed no statistically significant difference in cumulative doses of MTX, but a statistically significant higher admitted alcohol intake during MTX therapy (p less than 0.002) and an older age (p less than 0.01) in the patients with cirrhosis or fibrosis. in the 68 patients MTX had accumulated to a mean dose of 3940 mg (range 32k-8355 mg) at the time the latest liver biopsies were taken. Among the latest liver biopsies were 14 cirrhosis (21 per cent, 95 per cent confidence limits: 12-32 per cent) and 16 fibrosis (24 per cent, 95 per cent confidence limits: 14-35 per cent). The 14 patients with cirrhosis when compared to patients with normal histology (9 patients), had taken an equal total dose of MTX at the latest liver biopsy, but had consumed a statistically significant higher amount of alcohol (p less than 0.05) during MTX therapy and also tended to be older (p less than 0.006). Comparison of a material A and B indicates that the prevalence of cirrhosis and fibrosis among MTX treated psoriatics increases rapidly beyond a cumultative dose of two to four grams of MTX. No MTX treated psoriatics should thus be allowed to pass this dosage range without having a liver biopsy performed.

Morphometric and dynamic studies of bone changes in hyperthyroidism.

Abstract: Bone biopsies were performed after tetracycline double-labelling by transfixing the right iliac crest in fourteen hypothyroid patients. The bone changes in cortical and trabecular bone were determined by simple measurement and point counting on decalcified and undecalcified stained sections and compared to normal controls and to sex and age matched hyperthyroid patients. The amount of trabecular bone and the cortical porosity were unchanged in the hypothyroid patients compared to normal controls, whereas the mean cortical thickness was increased. The amount of osteoid and the length of the osteoid seams were normal, whereas the mean width of the osteoid seams was decreased. The linear calcification rate in cancellous bone was decreased, as were the active calcification surfaces (tetracycline-labelled) and the percentage of osteoid covered surfaces active in mineralization. The osteoclastic resorption surfaces were unchanged in trabecular bone, whereas the osteoclastic activity in cortical bone was decreased. The osteocytic osteolysis was normal. The bone changes in hypothyroidism were opposite to the changes in hyperthyroidism characterized by a very low bone turn-over with a reduced osteoid apposition and bone mineralization rate, an inactive osteoclastic resorption in trabecular bone and a decreased osteoclastic resorption in cortical bone.

A technique for accessory cervical heart transplantation in rabbits and rats.

Abstract: A surgical method for accessory cervical heart transplantation in rabbits and rats has been developed and the procedure is described in detail. For blood vessel anastomosis the method employs an extra-luminal teflon prosthesis. This non suture technique is found to be easy, quick and reliable in the hands of an operator without experience in microsurgery. The most frequent postoperative complication is thrombosis of the carotid artery occuring in 30 per cent of the rabbit recipients and 10–15 per cent of the rats. The superficial cervical localization of the transplant is found to be advantageous for control with function of the heart, and for exact determination of endpoint of the rejection process.

Healing of a crush injury in rat striated muscle. 1. Description and testing of a new method of inducing a standard injury to the calf muscles.

Abstract: In this report an apparatus is described which can quickly and reliably induce a standard crushing injury in a desired location of rat calf muscle without tearing the skin. To test the constancy of injury caused by the apparatus, both hind legs of rats were traumatized. Two days after traumatization, the rats were killed and the hind legs were inspected macroscopically and microscopically following prior formalin fixation. The breaking strength of the muscles was measured immediately after traumatization. In every case, the injury totally penetrated the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle, but never damaged the whole jumping complex of muscles (gastrocnemius, plantaris and soleus). Both the location and the dimensions of the wound as well as the breaking strength of the injured muscles remained inside such narrow limits that the trauma can be regraded as constant.

The pancreatic islet cells in insular amyloidosis in human diabetic and non‐diabetic adults

Abstract: The relative pancreatic islet cell frequencies were studied in an autopsy material of diabetic and non-diabetic 60-year-old and older persons with and without islet amyloidosis. The diabetics showed a slightly higher α1 cell frequency, a higher α2 cell frequency and a lower β cell frequency than the non-diabetics. There was a positive correlation between the α2 cell frequency and the percentage number of islets with amyloid deposits, and a negative correlation between the β cell frequency and this percentage number; the same applied when the effect of diabetes was eliminated by partial correlation analysis. The ratio between the nuclear sizes of the β and α2 cells was fairly constant, even in cases with heavy islet amyloidosis where these sizes were decreased. Changes in size of the nuclei were therefore of no importance to the differential counts.

Ancient neurilemmoma (schwannoma)

Abstract: A clinical and light microscopic study of 11 patients with ancient neurilemmoma is presented. Ancient neurilemmoma is a cellular form of ordinary neurilemmoma, showing nuclear polymorphism and hyperchromasia. Seven patients were female and 4 were male; their ages ranged between 37 years and 81 years, with a median of 59 years. Seven tumours were 2.5 cm or larger in the widest diameter, and had been slowly enlarging for one year or more. All tumours were solitary, encapsulated showing nuclear polymorphism and hyperchromasia without any mitotic activity. The differential diagnosis is discussed. Follow-up information available on all patients confirmed that the clinical course is benign.

Diabetic cardiopathy. Quantitative histological studies of the heart from young juvenile diabetics.

Abstract: A quantitative morphological study, at light microscopical level, of hearts from young diabetics and nondiabetics was performed. The groups were comparable with respect to sex-ratio, age, heart weight and blood pressure. Findings in the hearts were as follows: In arterioles in which the luminal diameter ranged between 15-50 mu, a strongly PAS-positive stained vessel wall occurred at a higher frequency among diabetics than among non-diabetics (75 per cent respectively 33 per cent). The PAS-positive structures, however, occupied the same area of the vessel wall in the two groups. In arterioles from diabetics, the number of cells in tunica media was increased as compared with that in non-diabetics (2 p less than 0.01). The amount of perivascular connective tissue was also increased in the diabetics (2 p less than 0.01). There was no indication of an endothelial cell proliferation in the PAS-positive stained vessels from diabetics and non-diabetics. The wall of the capillaries was not thickened and it was not more PAS-positive in the hearts from diabetics than in those from non-diabetics. Moreover, the number of capillaries per square millimeter of heart muscle was the same in the two groups of hearts. In the present light microscopical study, the diabetic micro-angiography of the heart was demonstrable in the arterioles. The capillaropathy known to occur in other organs was not present in the heart muscle from patients with diabetes of long standing.

Evidence for an initial, thymus independent and a chronic, thymus dependent phase of doca and salt hypertension in mice

Abstract: Treatment with desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and 1 per cent saline as drinking water for 21 days caused a significant and similar increase in blood pressure in haired mice, with a normal thymus function, as in nude mice with genetical aplasia of the thymus. After 57 and 78 days there was, however, a significantly more pronounced increase in blood pressure in haired than in nude mice. A marked degree of round cell infiltration around intrarenal vessels and degenerative changes including wedge-shaped infarcts were observed in the kidneys of the haired mice, commencing after 57 days of treatment, while no such changes were found in nude mice. Thymus grafting in nude mice, successively treated with DOCA and salt, conferred the ability to react with chronic hypertension and intrarenal vascular disease, equal to the reaction seen in haired mice. The present investigation has provided evidence for the existence of an initial thymus independent and a chronic thymus dependent phase of DOCA and salt hypertension in mice. It still remains an unsolved problem whether the secondary blood pressure fall observed in nude athymic mice is a direct consequence of the lack of perivascular cellular immune reactions, or caused by other defects in this strain of mice.

Observer variation in histologic classification of thyroid cancer.

Abstract: Histologic slides of 696 cases of thyroid cancer reported to the national cancer registries of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden were reviewed by 5 Nordic pathologists in order to determine the observer variation between the pathologists, as well as the reproducibility of the WHO classification of thyroid tumours. In 58% of the cases all observers agreed upon the diagnosis and in 82% at least three of them agreed. The observer disagreement was lowest for papillary carcinoma (7%) and highest for follicular carcinoma (27%). The corresponding figures for anaplastic and medullary carcinomas were 18% and 23%, respectively. The most common diverging diagnosis for cases finally interpreted as papillary carcinoma was follicular carcinoma, and for cases finally interpreted as follicular carcinoma, a benign thyroid lesion. The results of the present study clearly indicate the necessity of having all cases reviewed by the same pathologist or group of pathologists in order to obtain reliable results for comparative studies.

Serum alpha‐foetoprotein as a marker for endodermal sinus tumour (yolk sac tumour) or a vitelline component of ‘teratocarcinoma’

Abstract: The correlation between serum alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) and the clinical pathological finding of 24 germ cell tumours arising from the testes (14 cases), the ovaries (3 cases), the mediastinum (3 cases), the retroperitoneal region (2 cases), and the sacrococcygeal region (2 cases) are presented. Irrespective of marked differences in age and sex of the patients, primary site of the tumours and clinical outcome, the 24 cases constituted a homogeneous group in fundamental histological patterns and in AFP synthesis. In all cases of endodermal sinus tumour or teratocarcinomas with a distinct vitelline component an increased serum AFP concentrations was found in the pre-operative serum samples. AFP was also demonstrated in the tumour tissue by quantitative determination of AFP in tumour homogenate (5 cases) and, by immunofluorescence technique, positive staining of the cells lining the endodermal sinuses and of the hyaline globules was found (3 cases). In 12 germ cell tumours without vitelline components in the tumour tissue sections, a normal AFP concentration below 20 mug/1 was found in preoperative serum samples.

Oral giant cell granulomas. A clinical and histological study of 129 new cases.

Abstract: Ninety-seven peripheral and 32 central oral giant cell granulomas have been studied clinically and histologically. The distribution according to age (below and over 15 years of age) is similar in the two types of granulomas. It applies to both lesions that the prevalence usually is higher in females than in males. Both granulomas are most frequently found in the mandible. The central giant cell granuloma occur anterior to the molar region. The recurrence rate of the lesions in this material is high as compared with that observed in earlier studies. The radiographic features are non-specific. The histopathology of the peripheral and central giant cell granulomas is fundamentally identical, both being composed of 1) a highly vascular and cellular granulation tissue containing, 2) a great number of multi-nuclear giant cells of foreign body type scattered in the tissue, 3) extravasation by red blood cells and the presence of haemosiderin, 4) occasionally bone formation, and 5) several mitoses in the stromal cells. Comparative statistical analysis of the clinical findings and comparative histomorphological evaluation of the present material suggest that both types of lesions are manifestations of the same pathological condition.

Healing of a crush injury in rat striated muscle. 2. a histological study of the effect of early mobilization and immobilization on the repair processes.

Abstract: The effects of both early mobilization and immobilization on the healing of a crush injury in the rat gastrocnemius muscle were studied histologically. A preproducible injury was induced on the left calf of 242 rats. The histological observations were made 2 to 42 days after the injury and the intensity of the changes was estimated semiquantitatively by scoring. During the first week, the histological changes were especially dependent on the post-traumatization treatment. The inflammatory reaction and haemotoma formation were more pronounced in the mobilized muscles and the amount of necrotic and degenerated muscle tissue was more in the immobilized muscles. The disappearance of the haematoma and of the inflammatory cells occurred more rapidly with mobilization. Scar formation was more pronounced in the mobilized injuries. immobilization for the first 2-5 days after the trauma was followed by aslight delay in the maturation and contraction of the fibrous scar. Muscle regeneration was more extensive and occurred more rapidly in the mobilized muscles. The penetration of regenerated muscle fibres throughh the scar was more pronounced in the immobilized muscles, but the orientation of the new fibres was more parallel with the original muscle fibres after mobilization. The histological differences between the treatment groups diminished markedly towards the end of the observation period.

Metastases to the breast from extramammary carcinomas.

Abstract: Metastases to the breast from extramammary carcinomas are rare. Only about 200 cases are reported in the literature. Fifteen additional cases are presented here and the literature is reviewed. Two of the patients has primary thyroid carcinoma, two adenocarcinoma of the colon, three bronchogenic carcinoma, four malignant melanoma, one a squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus, one an adenocarcinoma of the stomach, one a renal cell carcinoma and one a carcinoid of the terminal ileum. In three cases the breast lesion was the first manifestation of an extramammary cancer. Six of the patients died of disseminated cancer shortly after the breast metastasis was diagnosed. Although breast metastasis may be suspected clinically, exact histological diagnosis is important in order to avoid unnecessary surgical treatment and to guide further therapy.

Intestinal metaplasia with colonic-type sulphomucins in the gastric mucosa; its association with gastric carcinoma.

Abstract: The occurrence of intestinal metaplasia with colonic-type sulphomucins: (abbreviated: s-IM or s-positive IM) in the gastric mucosa was studied in 125 patients with gastric carcinoma (GCA), 62 patients with pernicious anemia (PA), 301 and 183 first-degree relatives of GCA and PA patients, 406 outpatients and in 358 controls matched from a large population sample. The sulphomucins (s-mucins) were demonstrated histochemically in endoscopic biopsy specimens by using high iron diamine and Alcian blue (pH 1) methods. The prevalence of s-IM, especially the strongly s-positive IM, was significantly higher in GCA patients than in other series or controls of the same age group. Further, s-IM was significantly more common in PA patients and its prevalence higher in GCA relatives and outpatients than in other series or controls. The occurrence of s-IM was also age-dependent and dependent on the extent of IM. It was suggested that the occurrence of s-IM can be used as a sign of lesions that are more closely associated with GCA than IM is in general.

Biliary hamartomas (von Meyenburg complexes) in liver needle biopsies.

Abstract: 2000 consecutive liver needle biopsies were examined for the occurrence of biliary hamartomas (von Meyenburg complexes, microhamartomas). In 12 biopsies (corresponding to 0.6 per cent) a total of 15 hamartomas were found as 2 biopsies contained 2 and 3 hamartomas, respectively. The incidence, morphology, location and differential diagnosis are discussed. In serial sections a communication between all the lumina in each hamartoma was found. In no case the diagnosis of biliary adenoma, congenital hepatic fibrosis or polycystic liver could be made. The hamartomas are of no clinical importance.

Spontaneous toxic nephropathy in poultry associated with ochratoxin a

Abstract: At a poultry slaughterhouse 14 birds with macroscopic renal changes were collected, and the kidneys were examined histologically and the muscular tissue was analysed for ochratoxin A residues. Out of 14 birds 5 birds had ochratoxin A residues ranging from 4.3 to 29.2 mug/kg. In 4 of these birds a toxic nephropathy was found characterised by atrophy and degeneration of proximal and distal tubules and interstitial fibrosis. The possibility of birds with ochratoxin A residues being presented for human consumption is discussed.

The anal transitional zone. Location and extent.

Abstract: The location and extent of the anal transitional zone (ATZ) were investigated in the age group typical for anal canal carcinomas. The methods used were macroscopic determination after whole-mount staining with Alcian-dyes as well as conventional histological technique. The results show that the epithelial variants may be found over a larger area than previously reported, namely from 6 mm below to 20 mm above the dentate line. Variations in location and extent of the ATZ are described, as well as the frequent finding of mature squamous epithelium high in the anal canal. The significance of the findings in relation to the special types of anal canal carcinomas is discussed, and on the basis of the macroscopic definition of the canal, as well as the histological observations in this study, it is proposed that anal canal carcinomas should be defined as tumours partly or totally located within a distance of 2 cm above the dentate line.