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Volume 39, Issue 1, 2025
Online ISSN: 3042-3511
ISSN: 3042-3503
Volume 39 , Issue 1, (2025)
Published: 31.03.2025.
Open Access
Welcome to Issue 39, No. 1 – the first of our two annual publications for this year. Inside, you'll find a curated selection of articles. Start your year with the essential knowledge and perspectives offered in this timely edition
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Contents
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Importance and benefits of autopsies: An illustrative case
Aim: We present a case wherein the information obtained from autopsy examination was of critical importance to a doctor and a family. Introduction: A 24-year-old,multipara,delivered a term born male baby with a birth weight 3100gr and body length 46cm.Soon after birth the neonate developed signs of POSTER SESIJA 63 MATERIA MEDICA • Vol. 34 • Issue 1, suplement 1 • april 2018. a respiratory insufficiency and died within 2 hours.Anamnestic data from the mother revealed uncontrolled pregnancy. Material and Methods: Standard autopsy technic and standard procedure of paraffin embedded section routinely stained with H E was performed. Results: At autopsy,the external examination revealed characteristic facial features suggestive of Potter s face including posterior rotated low-set ears,flat nose,widely separated eyes,micrognatia and short neck. Autopsy revealed presence of bilateral hypoplastic lungs with total weigh of 28g,less than the expected range (normal 49g).On dissection lungs were airless, non-crepitant and sank in the water. Histologically findings were consistent with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypoplasia.The abdominal cavity was completely filled with markedly symmetrical enlarged kidneys.Total weight of both kidneys was 156g (normal 25g).On the dissection section showed multiple small cysts measuring 1-3 mm in size,completely replacing the cortex and medulla giving it a spongy like appearance and typical honeycomb structure.On microscopical examination we found cysts uniformly lined by cuboidal to flattened epithelium. Zaključak: We consider that this is a Potter Syndrome Type I due to Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease and is linked to a mutation in the gene PKHD1.2. Through this case,we are aware of the importance and benefit of autopsy,although the trend of autopsies in the world is decreasing.
Daniela Bajdevska, Daniel Milkovski, Verdi Stanojevic, Boro Ilievski, Gordana Petrushevska, Snezana Zaharieva
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Expression of divergent endodermal linear markers in the yolk sac tumor of primary mediastinal localization: Case report
Aim: Pathohistological diagnostics (PD) of the Yolc Sac tumor (YST) of primary mediastinal localization. Introduction: YST are malignant germ cell tumors of primitive endodermal gonadal differentiation. In 1% -5% of cases their localization is extragonadal, including mediastinal in 50% -70% published cases. Case report: A 30-year-old man was admitted to the Thoracic Surgery Clinic for diagnosis and treatment of mediastinal tumor with lungs and liver metastases. Laboratory analyzes revealed high elevations in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), in addition moderate elevation of beta-chorionic gonadotropin (ß-HCG). No pathological changes in testis and retroperitoneum have been found. An open biopsy of the mediastinal change was made for PD. Histologically, tumor tissue showed a significant degree of necrosis. There were reticular, microcystic and pseudopapillary forms of neoplastic cell growth, surrounded by myxomatosis stroma. Tumor cells cytoplasm was scarce and vacuolated with high nuclear polymorphism and hyperchromasia. Positive immunohistochemical (IMH) reaction was obtained for panCK, AFP, PLAP. Immunoreactivity for TTF-1 was found in about 50% of tumor cells, as well as the focal reaction for ß-HCG in rare multinuclear cells. Reactions for D2-40, CD5, CK-7, CK-20, p63, CD117, CD30, napsin A and calretinin were negative. Conclusion: The results of our analysis showed the expression of divergent endodermal linear markers in the mediastinal YST, especially TTF-1 expression. The diagnosis of YST in small biopsies can be difficult and requires using of a wide range of IMH markers in order to closer the differentiation of primary tumor localization and the application of appropriate chemotherapy
Sasa Ristic, Bozidar Kovacevic, Natasa Vesovic, Dragan Zivojinovic, Vladimir Vasiljevic, Jelena Dzambas
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Fatal colchicine poisoning by accidental ingestion of meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale): report of autopsy case
Aim: Reporting of autopsy case of fatal accidental poisoning by colchicine from meadow saffron. Introduction: Meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale) is a perennial herbaceous plant similar to the edible wild garlic (Allium ursinum). Toxic substance in meadow saffron is alcaloid colchicine. Colchicine poisoning is a very dangerous condition, which can lead to fatal outcome. Case report: A 50-years-old male was admitted to the hospital complaining of weakness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea without blood. Day before he ate two plants thinking they’re wild garlic and seven hours after ingestion he felt first symptoms. During the course of the hospital stay, he had gastroenterocolitis, acute renal failure, hepatic lesion and cardiorespiratory insufficiency with fatal outcome. Post-mortem examination reveled:brain oedema, lung oedema and congestion, heart weighing 700 grams, ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, liver congestion and steatosis, spleen congestion, pancreatic fibrosis. Organs sections were taken for pathohistological analysis. Body fluids and parts of organs were toxicologically analyzed. Pathohistological findings:brain oedema, diffuse perivascular and interstitial myocardial fibrosis, myocardial haemorrhage, lungs congestion and edema, micro- and macrovesicular liver steatosis, centrilobular liver necrosis, lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate in liver portions, spleen’s red pulp congestion, kidney congestion and interstitial bleeding, coagulation necrosis of the proximal tubules of the kidney. Toxicological analysis showed colchicine in blood-0.011 mg/L, urine-0.051 mg/L, liver with gallbladder-0.007 mg/ kg, kidney-0.008 mg/kg. Conclusion: Ingestion of the meadow saffron can lead to poisoning with fatal outcome due to colchicine. Colchicine intoxication should be suspected in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming wild plants.
Ivan Aleksic, Milos Danilovic, Jelena Dzambas, Nadica Marinkovic
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Melanoma malignum chorioideae: case report
Aim: The present a rare case intraocular primary malignant choroidal melanoma. Introduction: Melanoma choroideae is most common intraocular primary tumor of adults. Incidence is 7 cases per 1 million people per year and incidence of this tumor increases with age. Case report: We report 76 years old women who had progressive visual field defects at left eye at least two years. Diagnostic examination of eye was detected a greyish-brown mass of the posterior choroidal pole which was indication for enucleation. Macroscopically bulbus oculi was dimension 28x25x25mm, with optic nerve 5mm length. At the intersection on posterior pole nearby papila of optical nerve was detected ovoid dark lesion diameters 8x3mm. Histopathology examination was showed sharply demarcated solid tumor islands which consists of epithelioid tumor cells with pleomorphic, atypical nuclei, conspicuous nucleoli. Other type of cells were spindle look which formed fascicular shapes. Pigmentation was absent also. There was no significant vascularisation in tumor mass. Sclera was superficially infiltrated by tumor cells. Mitotic activity was absent (0/40HPHF). Immunohistochemistry staining was confirmed melanoma cells: S-100, MelanA , HMB-45 /-. Conclusion: Melanoma in this region is rare, indolent lesion, with bad prognosis. Early detection could prevent further dissemination of disease and many complications. Metastatic choroid melanoma is a highly malignant disease with a limited life expectancy.
Darko Mikic, Snezana Cerovic
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Giant bilateral vertebral artery aneurysms: a case report
Aim: We present an illustrative autopsy case of thrombosed giant bilateral vertebral artery aneurysms. Introduction: A 61-year-old male died at Department of Infective disease with a clinical diagnosis for bilateral bronchopneumonia, cerebral aneurism, fibro muscular dysplasia, CVI, HTA, chronic CMP, cardiac arrest. Material and Methods: Standard autopsy technic with neuropathology brain dissection and standard procedure of paraffin embedded section routinely stained with HE was performed. Results: Gross examination of the brain at the autopsy showed saccular giant bilateral vertebral artery aneurysms that measured 58 mm on the right and 40 mm on the left artery. They were tumor-like and compressed the medulla and pons. Both were thrombosed. The right was ruptured with subacute subarachnoid bleeding. Sections of the cerebral vessels exhibited minimal atherosclerotic plaques, with mild stenosis (focally up to 10%) of the left internal carotid artery. We found mild dilatation on ventricles and minimal cortical atrophy of the brain. During the microscopic examination angiodysplasia with abnormally dilated blood vessels on visceral organs, predominantly on brain and heart was detected. The cause of death was central type of cardiopulmonary insufficiency with pulmonary edema. Conclusion: We presented an extremely rare case with bilateral giant vertebral aneurysms. Giant cerebral aneurysms are ones that measure >25 mm in greatest dimension and account for ~5% of all intracranial aneurysms. They occur in the 5th-7th decades and are more common in females. Vertebral artery aneurysms constitute 0.5 to 3% of intracranial aneurysms and 20% of posterior circulation aneurysms.
Boro Ilievski, Ivan Domazetovski, Gordana Petrushevska
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Ectopic pancreatic tissue in a gallbladder: case report
Aim: We present an interesting case of pancreatic ectopic tissue in the gallbladder. Introduction: Ectopic or heterotopic pancreas is defined as the presence of pancreatic tissue outside the boundaries of the pancreas that show no anatomical or vascular connection with the main body of the pancreas. Case report: We present a rare case of ectopic pancreas found in a 38 year-old man s gallbladder. Male patient was admitted to the Surgical Department Clinical Hospital Center Zvezdara, as scheduled for an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. One year prior to the surgery he had had abdominal ultrasonography done during a routine hospital check up. Ultrasonographic examination of the whole abdomen had showed no abnormality, except for cholelithiasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done. On gross examination, the gallbladder measured 9 cm in length and 3.5 cm in circumference, with a wall thickness ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 cm. On cutting open, one yellowish round stone, measuring 0.6 cm in diameter, was noted in the fundus. The mucosa was velvety flattened. A nodule of 1,5 cm in diameter was seen in the neck region, which on microscopic examination, showed a well circumscribed rest of heterotopic pancreatic tissue, composed of lobules of exocrine pancreatic acini and an occasional duct. Islets of Langerhans were also present. Conclusion: Ectopic pancreatic tissue in a gallbladder is a very rare condition which is usually diagnosed incidentally. Up to the presents, only about 30 cases have been reported. The clinical significance of the ectopic pancreas remains unclear and it requires further exploration.
Marija Milic Perovic, Aleksandra Paunovic Markovic, Natasa Djurdjevic, Marija Cubrilo, Jelena Kuzmanovic, Jovan Juloski, Lidija Vuckovic Hardi
01.04.2018.
Special Session
The efficiency of bronhoscopic biopsy in detecting the mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor in lung adenocarcinoma
Lung carcinoma is the leading cause of increases in the morbidity and mortality rates of malignant diseases worldwide. Adenocarcinoma has been the most common histological type in the last decades due to: changes in the tobacco industry, smoking habits and the use of immunohistochemistry. Among more than half of patients, lung adenocarcinoma is diagnosed in an advanced stage of the disease. The discovery of mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in lung adenocarcinoma is a major advancement in molecular pathology and a new approach to the treatment of these patients. Patients with EGFR mutated lung adenocarcinoma receive a targeted therapy (Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors-TKI) which leads to improvements in disease prognosis and quality of life. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most widely used and most reliable method since it requires a minimum amount of starting material and allows the amplification of the desired DNA segment up to a billion times. In this way, deletions in exon 19 are detected in approximately 90% of cases, more often in women, non-smokers and in the territory of Asia. The following may be used for EGFR testing: fresh tissue, fast-frozen tissue, tissue molded into paraffin blocks after fixation in formalin and cytological material obtained by scraping from glass tiles. Tissue processed by decalcination, acid treated or heavy metal treated tissue should be avoided. Although surgical samples represent the golden standard in determining EGFR mutations, the results obtained are compatible with the results obtained by bronchoscopic biopsy and thus eliminate the need for invasive diagnostic procedures. Bronchoscopy is an invasive diagnostic method, whose objectives are to diagnose lung tumors, determine the endoscopic spread of the disease and assess tumor operability. The presence of a tumor may be indicated by a different bronchoscopic aspect of the endobronial mucosa. The sensitivity and specificity of this method depends on: bronchologist’s skills, endoscopic findings, the number of biopsy samples, the professional competence of pathologist-cytologist and the obtained tumor amount. The tumor amount is generally small and depends on the histological type, endoscopic findings, sampling technique and the presence of other cells. It is recommended to take three to five biopsy samples, used for diagnosing but also for molecular testing. Targeted therapy is applied based on the obtained results. Given that biopsy samples molded in paraffin are cut into multiple histological sections, and that the tumor amount decreases, it is necessary to minimize the “consumption”. The concentration of isolated DNA does not differ among patients with wt EGFR and mutated EGFR adenocarcinoma. To date, there has been no consensus regarding the number of tumor cells necessary to determine EGFR mutations, and it is recommended to take samples with a minimum of 200 to 400 tumor cells. Invalid results obtained by using the PCR method are most commonly the result of a small number of preserved tumor cells in a biopsy sample. Blood and necrosis may be limiting factors for molecular testing, but not exclusion factors for the same. Bronchoscopic biopsy sample is adequate for the determination of EGFR mutations because the majority of biopsy samples have more than 100 tumor cells, the difference between the concentration of isolated DNA in EGFR mutated and wt EGFR adenocarcinomas is not statistically significant, EGFR mutations are also detected in samples with a small number of tumor cells when using highly sensitive tests.
Dragana Tegeltija
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Collision Adenocarcinoma et small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder: a case report
Aim: To reported extremely rare case of collision adenocarcinomma et small cell neuroendocrine carcinomma of the gallbladder (SCNEC). Introduction: Collision cancers are malignancies in the same organ or anatomical site that comprises et least two different tumor components, with no mixed or transitional area between two component. Case report: 76 year old woman with abdominal pain, underwent ultrasonography evaluation which demonstrated cholelithiasis and gallbladder wall thickening. Cholecystectomy due to cholelithiasis was performed.The macroscopic analysis revealed 2,5cm sized round nodular lesions in the fundus of the gallbladder.Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues were stained with H.E. Selected samples were stained immunochistochemically with chromogranin, synaptophysin et CK7. Microscopicaly, the tumor was composed of two components. Dominant component is adenocarcinomma, composed of tubular glands lined predominantly by columnar cells with pseudostratified et ovoid or elongated nuclei.In the area close to this component there was neuroendocrine carcinomma that came in touch with the previous one, but didnt infiltrate it. Neuroendocrine carcinomma was composed of round or fusiform cells, arranged in sheets, nests and cords.Tumor cells have round hyperchromatic nuclei with inconspicuous nucleoli. Neuroendocrine tumor cells were immunoreactive for chromogranin, synaptophysin. Epithelial cells were positive for CH7.The final pathologycal diagnosis was SCNEC. The tumor stage was II, T2, Nx, Mx. Conclusion: Prognosis for patient is poor.About 40-50 percent of patients have disseminated disease at the time of the diagnoses.SCNEC appear to be highly responsive to chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy and survival time more than one year have been reported.
Svetlana Kochmanovska Petreska, Liljana Spasevska, Boro Ilievski, Vladimir Stojkovski
01.04.2018.
Poster session
Choristoma of the stomach: A case report
Aim: To present a case report of choristoma of the stomach. Introduction: Ectopic pancreas is defined as the presence of pancreatic tissue outside its normal location without anatomic or vascular connections with the pancreas. It mostly occurs in upper gastrointestinal tract, predominantly in the stomach. It s likely to occur in men, at the age of 30-50 years. Case report: A thirty-year old male patient presented to the hospital for evaluation of epigastric symptoms. After clinical examinations, he underwent an esophago-gastroduodenoscopy which showed intramural tumor located along the greater curvature. The biopsy was taken which revealed normal gastric mucosa so it was suspected for gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The patient was submitted to laparoscopic partial gastrectomy and the material was received for pathohistological analysis. Macroscopically, there were several fragments, gray-pink coloured and lined with pink mucosa. In the largest fragment it was noticed irregular, oval gray-white node, measured 4x2.5x0.5cm. On serial cutting it was yellow. Histologically, described fragments revealed normal fundic mucosa and irregular node was consisted of pancreatic tissue localized in submucosa and lamina muscularis. It was formed of normal acini and Langerhans islets, with focally dilated pancreatic ducts and presence of mixed inflammatory infiltrate. Dysplasia wasn t found in the pancreatic tissue. The POSTER SESIJA 58 MATERIA MEDICA • Vol. 34 • Issue 1, suplement 1 • april 2018. established diagnosis was Ectopic pancreatic tissue in stomach Choristoma of the stomach. Conclusion: Choristoma is rare condition and usually incidental finding important to be diagnosed because of the serious complications depending on which tissue is present in the organ, such as inflammation, bleeding and mailignant transformation.
Aleksandra Ilic, Tanja Lakic, Mirjana Zivojinov, Matilda Djolai
01.04.2018.
Special Session
Histopathologic assessment of tumor regression in non-small cell lung cancer after neoadjuvant therapy
Lung cancers are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality from malignant tumors in the World. The neodjuvant therapy in patients with locally advanced (IIIA-IIIB) lung cancer and affected N2 lymph nodes is one of the modes of multimodal treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in order to improve the outcome of their treatment. This involves converting patients from a higher to a lower stage of the disease - “downstaging”. There has been no significant connection between some forms of tumor response and types of therapy. Given the importance of complete pathological responses and tumor regression in the prediction of treatment outcomes, finding this relationship is of importance for the design of future neoadjuvant trails. In determining the histological tumor regression is very important measurement of area of residual tumor (ART). As the size of the tumor is one of the prognostic factors in patients with NSCLC who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy so the measurement of ART, as opposed to the macroscopic size of the tumor, one of the prognostic factors in patients with NSCLC, who had received neoadjuvant therapy. The ultimate goal of neoadjuvant therapy should be resectability and “downstaging” that could provide overall oncology benefit in specific clinical situations. The main objectives of this research were: to objectively estimate the size of ART in tumor tissue of lung and lymph nodes; to estimate the relation between the surface of ART with the size of the tumor on postoperative surgical material after neoadjuvant therapy; to analyze and estimate the relation between histomorphological parameters in tumor regression induced by neoadjuvant therapy and spontaneous tumor regression in tumors of the lung and lymph nodes in the postoperative surgical material and depending on the histological type of cancer; to estimate the relation between clinical response to neoadjuvant therapy according to criteria of the World Health Organization and histological parameters in lung tumors and lymph nodes in the postoperative surgical material after neoadjuvant therapy; to estimate the correlation of the pathological ypTN with clinical ycTN stage of the disease and the degree of tumor regression induced by neoadjuvant therapy and pathological ypTN and estimation of the relation between clinical and pathological involvement of N2 lymph nodes after neoadjuvant therapy. Measurement of the total size of the preserved ART is the most important objective parameter in the assessment of the grade of tumor regression. Size of residual tumor did not correlate with the size of the tumor after neoadjuvant therapy. There was a significant difference in the histological picture of tumor regression induced by neoadjuvant therapy and spontaneous tumor regression. There was no significant difference between the histologic type of tumor and histological tumor regression. There is no significant correlation between clinical response and the grade of tumor regression after neoadjuvant therapy. There is no correlation between clinical and pathological staging of the diseaSPECIAL SESSION: DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY, MEDICAL FACULTY, UNIVERSITY NOVI SAD, SERBIA 34 MATERIA MEDICA • Vol. 34 • Issue 1, suplement 1 • april 2018. se after neoadjuvant therapy. There is no correlation between the grade of tumor regression induced by neoadjuvant therapy and ypTN stage of the disease. There is no correlation between the clinical and the pathological involvement of the N2 lymph nodes to neoadjuvant therapy. The grade of tumor regression and measurement ART after neoadjuvant therapy determined by histopathological analysis of the resected tumor is the most objective criterion for evaluation of chemotherapeutic response and prediction of treatment outcome in patients.
Golub Samardzija