Pagetoid infiltration of the epidermis by melanocytes is a relevant criterion for the histologic diagnosis of melanoma, although sporadically observable in benign lesions. Since in vivo reflectance-mode confocal micro...Pagetoid infiltration of the epidermis by melanocytes is a relevant criterion for the histologic diagnosis of melanoma, although sporadically observable in benign lesions. Since in vivo reflectance-mode confocal microscopy enables the visualization of superficial layers at cellular-level resolution, the different aspects and the diagnostic significance of epidermal alterations and pagetoid cell infiltration were investigated on 84 benign and malignant melanocytic lesions by confocal microscopy and compared with histopathology. The observation of a disarranged pattern in superficial layers appeared characteristic for malignant lesions. In vivo identification of pagetoid cells, clearly present in the majority of melanomas and in a few benign lesions, seemed useful for melanoma diagnosis. An excellent concordance between confocal microscopy and histopathologywas achieved. Moreover, identification of some characteristic features by confocal microscopy, such as large and numerous closely arranged cells extended to the stratum corneum, was strongly correlated with malignancy. In conclusion, confocal microscopy enabled a very good identification of melanocytes spreading upward in a pagetoid fashion in melanocytic lesions. Thus, when pagetoid melanocytosis is observable by means of confocal microscopy, melanoma diagnosis should be considered, whereas it cannot be excluded in the absence of pagetoid cells, lacking in at least 10% of malignant lesions.展开更多
Background: Cutaneous neuroendocrine neoplasms are typically malignant. Benign cutaneous neuroendocrine tumors are uncommon. Methods: We report the case of a 32-year-old female who presented with a granular mass in th...Background: Cutaneous neuroendocrine neoplasms are typically malignant. Benign cutaneous neuroendocrine tumors are uncommon. Methods: We report the case of a 32-year-old female who presented with a granular mass in the right external auditory canal. Results: Microscopic examination of a shave biopsy revealed a poorly circumscribed neoplasm with glandular differentiation. While cytologic atypia and mitotic activity were not evident, pagetoid spread was observed. Immunohistochemistry was indicative of neuroendocrine origin. Conclusions: This case report of neuroendocrine adenoma indicates that this entity should be entertained in the repertoire of conditions affecting the external ear.展开更多
文摘Pagetoid infiltration of the epidermis by melanocytes is a relevant criterion for the histologic diagnosis of melanoma, although sporadically observable in benign lesions. Since in vivo reflectance-mode confocal microscopy enables the visualization of superficial layers at cellular-level resolution, the different aspects and the diagnostic significance of epidermal alterations and pagetoid cell infiltration were investigated on 84 benign and malignant melanocytic lesions by confocal microscopy and compared with histopathology. The observation of a disarranged pattern in superficial layers appeared characteristic for malignant lesions. In vivo identification of pagetoid cells, clearly present in the majority of melanomas and in a few benign lesions, seemed useful for melanoma diagnosis. An excellent concordance between confocal microscopy and histopathologywas achieved. Moreover, identification of some characteristic features by confocal microscopy, such as large and numerous closely arranged cells extended to the stratum corneum, was strongly correlated with malignancy. In conclusion, confocal microscopy enabled a very good identification of melanocytes spreading upward in a pagetoid fashion in melanocytic lesions. Thus, when pagetoid melanocytosis is observable by means of confocal microscopy, melanoma diagnosis should be considered, whereas it cannot be excluded in the absence of pagetoid cells, lacking in at least 10% of malignant lesions.
文摘Background: Cutaneous neuroendocrine neoplasms are typically malignant. Benign cutaneous neuroendocrine tumors are uncommon. Methods: We report the case of a 32-year-old female who presented with a granular mass in the right external auditory canal. Results: Microscopic examination of a shave biopsy revealed a poorly circumscribed neoplasm with glandular differentiation. While cytologic atypia and mitotic activity were not evident, pagetoid spread was observed. Immunohistochemistry was indicative of neuroendocrine origin. Conclusions: This case report of neuroendocrine adenoma indicates that this entity should be entertained in the repertoire of conditions affecting the external ear.