Guest Post from Howard Chang, MD, PhD: Unknown White Matter Disease
I am please to present a guest post from the illustriousDr. Howard Chang of Michigan State University, who presents a perplexing case. Dr. Chang would be interested in reader comments. He writes: "I can use some help from our colleagues. Any advice (from anyone) on where and how to proceed for additional studies will be very much appreciated. "Dr. Howard ChangThis is a case of a 12-year-old male with cerebral palsy, severe developmental delay (level 1-2 years), and seizures (stable, no seizure episodes since 2 years). He had progressive decline in neurological functions following flu-like illness. He received IVIG an...
Source: neuropathology blog - October 5, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: neuropathologists Source Type: blogs
Mutant IDH1 and thrombosis in gliomas
Craig M. Horbinski, MD PhDDr. Craig Horbinski ofNorthwestern University and colleagues just published a significant paper inActa Neuropathologica entitledMutant IDH1 and thrombosis in gliomas. Horbinski ' s data suggests that, quoting the abstract, " mutant IDH1 has potent antithrombotic activity within gliomas and throughout the peripheral circulation. These findings have implications for the pathologic evaluation of gliomas, the effect of altered isocitrate metabolism on tumor microenvironment, and risk assessment of glioma patients for venous thromboemboli." It should be noted that this paper won theRubinstein Awar...
Source: neuropathology blog - October 3, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: neoplasms neuropathologists Source Type: blogs
Society for Neuro-Oncology meeting to feature several prominent neuropathologists
David W. Ellison, MD, PhD,one of the presenters at the 2016 SNO meetingThe Society for Neuro-Oncology 2016 Annual Meeting to be held this year in Scottsdale, Arizona on November 16-20 will feature several members of theAmerican Association of Neuropathologists.Peter Canoll will be speaking on " Primary brain tumors – pathology, grading and prognosis – new WHO classification " .Arie Perry will be giving a " WHO overview " .Sandro Santagata will talk on " Advances in the molecular genetics of meningioma " .Dan Brat will present on " IDH-omas " .Cynthia Hawkins will give an overview of pediatric gliomas.Dav...
Source: neuropathology blog - September 29, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: meetings neuropathologists Source Type: blogs
Guest Post: Dr. Nat Pernick, Creator of PathologyOutlines.com
The following is a guest post from Dr. Nat Pernick, creator of PathologyOutlines.com, who reached out to me viaDr. Mark Cohen in search of neuropathology contributors to his website:PathologyOutlines.com is looking for authors for its neuropathology chapters, specifically theCNS nontumor andCNS tumorchapters. You can also write aboutStains and Molecular Markers related to neuropathology. You can either update existing topics or write about new topics. More information is available on ourInstructions for Authors page. The main advantages of being an author are: (a) you are helping the worldw...
Source: neuropathology blog - September 27, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: websites Source Type: blogs
University of Colorado residents show up in force for CAP16
Left to right: Drs. Robinson, Greer, Roberts, Klein, and Graham (with me kneeling)Five PGY2 pathology residents, the most from a single class in the history of the institution, are presenting posters today and tomorrow at the annual meeting of the College of American Pathologists. Most are neuropathology related. Here are the titles:Caleb Graham,et al. Pilocytic Astrocytoma: A Diagnostic Consideration in Lateral Ventricular TumorsAshley Greer,et al. BRAF Mutational Status in Desmoplastic Infantile Astrocytoma/GangliogliomaColleen Klein,et al. Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Discovered Clinically and at Autopsy: A Dual-I...
Source: neuropathology blog - September 26, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts meetings Source Type: blogs
CAP16 Scientific Plenary Session - The Immune Checkpoint Revolution in Cancer Treatment: " Moonshot " or " Pie in the Sky "
I ' m attending the scientific plenary session at the 2016 annual meeting of the College of American Pathologists in Las Vegas. The discussion is being led by Dr. Lynette Sholl (pathologist), Dr. Christopher Lathan (medical oncologist), and Barry Nelson (lung cancer patient). Although not directly related neuropathology, the discussion of the role of biomarkers as a means of directing treatment impacts every area of surgical pathology -- including neuropathology. Mr. Nelson recounted his journey through immunotherapy. Dr. Sholl talked about the paradigm shift that has occurred in cancer therapy by virtue of&...
Source: neuropathology blog - September 25, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: meetings molecular studies Source Type: blogs
A case of recurrent ligneous conjunctivitis in an adult
Massive fibrin deposition in a case of recurrent ligneous conjunctivitis in an adultI recently reviewed a case ofligneous conjunctivitis, a rare form of chronic pseudomembranous conjunctivitis that is marked by a massive accumulation of fibrin. The term ligneous (from the Latin term for " woody " ) refers to the firm consistency of the large masses of fibrin that comprise the pseudomembranes. Ligneous conjunctivitis typically occurs in children but may recur in adults. Treatment is often challenging because the inflammation is persistent and the pseudomembranes often recur rapidly after excision. Histopa thology s...
Source: neuropathology blog - September 22, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: ophthalmic pathology Source Type: blogs
CAP16 Abstract Highlights - BRAF Mutational Status in Desmoplastic Infantile Astrocytoma/Ganglioglioma
Conclusions:Five of 6 classic DIA/DIGs were negative for BRAF mutation. Previous publications found mutation in 2 of 18 and 1 of 14 cases; 2 of 3 reportedly mutated cases were unusual in that they were in atypical anatomic locations (suprasellar, fourth ventricle), and 1 was in an older child (24-month-old). DIA/DIGs with unusual features may be more likely to show BRAF mutation similar to ganglioglioma. (Source: neuropathology blog)
Source: neuropathology blog - September 21, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts neoplasms Source Type: blogs
CAP16 Abstract Highlights - Astrocytoma With a Distinct Molecular Signature: MYB Rearrangement and EGFR Amplification
We report the first case of a pediatric astrocytoma with both MYB rearrangement and EGFR amplification. A 3-year-old boy was found to have a T2 hyperintense, nonenhancing mass in theleft temporal lobe after minor head trauma. Histology showed a diffuse astrocytic tumor with low cell density and bland cytology. Mitotic figures were present, albeit focally, prompting a diagnosis of anaplastic astrocytoma. No necrosis or microvascular proliferation was identified. The Ki-67 labeling index, while generally low, rose to approximately 20%, corresponding to regions of mitotic activity. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridizatio...
Source: neuropathology blog - September 20, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts molecular studies neoplasms Source Type: blogs
CAP16 Abstract Highlights - Naegleria fowleri: Understanding the Clinical Presentation and Autopsy Findings of a Rare and Almost Universally Fatal Central Nervous System Infection
The 2016 annual meeting of the College of American Pathlologists (CAP16) is coming up September 25-28 in Las Vegas. In this series of posts, I ' ll be featuring poster abstracts of particular interest to neuropathologists.Alexander T. Damron and colleagues atBaylor College of Medicine in Houston discussNaegleria fowleriCNS infection in Poster #114:Naegleria fowleri is a free-living ameba known to cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Moreover, PAM is an acute, fulminating, and hemorrhagic infection that occurs in healthy young children with fresh water exposure in warm climates. It is postulated&nb...
Source: neuropathology blog - September 17, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts infectious disease Source Type: blogs
CAP16 Abstract Highlights - Heterotopic Cutaneous Meningioma: An Unusual Presentation Occurring in a Patient With a History of Intracranial Meningioma
The 2016 annual meeting of the College of American Pathlologists (CAP16) is coming up September 25-28 in Las Vegas. I ' ll be attending the meeting this year. In this series of posts, I ' ll be featuring poster abstracts of particular interest to neuropathologists.Chibuike L. Enwereuzo and Jean Henneberry at Baystate Medical Center/Tuft University School of Medicine, in Springfield, Massachusetts discuss an unusual case of cutaneous meningioma in a patient with a history of intracranial meningioma (Poster #106):Meningioma is a neoplasm of the meninges and typically occurs in intracranial sites. Extracra...
Source: neuropathology blog - September 16, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts neoplasms Source Type: blogs
CAP16 Abstract Highlights - Extraventricular Neurocytoma: A Diagnostic Pitfall Mimicking Oligodendroglioma
Conclusions: While clinicopathologic features are diagnostically helpful, additional molecular analyses are needed to better characterize the spectrum of EVNs and their distinction from oligodendrogliomas. (Source: neuropathology blog)
Source: neuropathology blog - September 15, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts neoplasms Source Type: blogs
CAP16 Abstract Highlights: Accuracy of Central Nervous System Intraoperative Consultation Among Neuropathologists and General Pathologists
Conclusions: The increased reliance on deferral of diagnosis and a reduced concordance rate among general pathologists points to a potential learning deficit that could be overcome through targeted education programs, similar to the ThinPrep Pap Proficiency Test, with the aim of increasing the quality of information provided during CNS intraoperative consultation. (Source: neuropathology blog)
Source: neuropathology blog - September 14, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts Source Type: blogs
CAP16 Abstract Highlights -- Pilocytic Astrocytoma: A Diagnostic Consideration in Lateral Ventricular Tumors
Conclusions: Lateral ventricle PAs are uncommon but should be considered when encountering lateral ventricular tumors. (Source: neuropathology blog)
Source: neuropathology blog - September 13, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts neoplasms Source Type: blogs
CAP16 Abstract Highlights: Predictive Markers for Meningioma Grading
The 2016 annual meeting of the College of American Pathlologists (CAP16) is coming up September 25-28 in Las Vegas. I ' ll be attending the meeting this year. In this series of posts, I ' ll be featuring poster abstracts of particular interest to neuropathologists.Hussam Abu-Farakh and colleagues from Ibn Haytham Hospital in Amman, Jordan present a poster (#178) on predictive markers for meningioma grading. Here is an excerpt from the abstract:Design: We studied 244 meningioma cases during the last 10 years at our center. All cases were studied for the following: sex, tumor size, mitotic count, the presence of small cell c...
Source: neuropathology blog - September 12, 2016 Category: Radiology Tags: CAP16 abstracts neoplasms Source Type: blogs
