Primary pulmonary meningioma and minute pulmonary meningothelial-like nodules: Rare pulmonary nodular lesions requiring more awareness in clinical practice

In this editorial,we comment on an article by Ruan et al published in a recent issue of the World Journal of Clinical Case.Pulmonary meningothelial proliferative lesions,including primary pulmonary meningiomas,minute pulmonary meningothelial-like nodules,and metastatic pulmonary meningiomas are rare pulmonary lesions.These lesions are difficult to differentiate from lung cancers based on clinical and imaging manifestations.Herein,we briefly introduce the clinical,imaging,and pathological characteristics of these lesions and discuss their pathogenesis to strengthen the current understanding of pulmonary meningothelial proliferative lesions in clinical diagnosis and therapy.

Nodular fasciitis of the external auditory canal: Clinical case report and review of the literature

Nodular fasciitis is a benign reactive soft tissue tumor arising from fibroblasts and myofibroblasts.Its incidence is low and misdiagnosis is frequent especially for malignant lesions.This can lead to inappropriate and unnecessary invasive treatment.Nodular fasciitis of the external auditory canal is extremely rare.So far,around fifteen cases have been reported.We present here the case of a 90-year-old patient with nodular fasciitis of the right external auditory canal.The lesion extends anteriorly for 6.5 cm and reaches the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus.To our knowledge,this is the first case in the literature of an external auditory canal nodular fasciitis presenting as an inflammatory ear polyp with such a wide extension.

Development of preoperative prognostic models including radiological features for survival of singular nodular HCC patients

Background:Early singular nodular hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is an ideal surgical indication in clinical practice.However,almost half of the patients have tumor recurrence,and there is no reliable prognostic prediction tool.Besides,it is unclear whether preoperative neoadjuvant therapy is necessary for patients with early singular nodular HCC and which patient needs it.It is critical to identify the patients with high risk of recurrence and to treat these patients preoperatively with neoadjuvant therapy and thus,to improve the outcomes of these patients.The present study aimed to develop two prognostic models to preoperatively predict the recurrence-free survival(RFS)and overall survival(OS)in patients with singular nodular HCC by integrating the clinical data and radiological features.Methods:We retrospective recruited 211 patients with singular nodular HCC from December 2009 to January 2019 at Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital(EHBH).They all met the surgical indications and underwent radical resection.We randomly divided the patients into the training cohort(n=132)and the validation cohort(n=79).We established and validated multivariate Cox proportional hazard models by the preoperative clinicopathologic factors and radiological features for association with RFS and OS.By analyzing the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,the discrimination accuracy of the models was compared with that of the traditional predictive models.Results:Our RFS model was based on HBV-DNA score,cirrhosis,tumor diameter and tumor capsule in imaging.RFS nomogram had fine calibration and discrimination capabilities,with a C-index of 0.74(95%CI:0.68-0.80).The OS nomogram,based on cirrhosis,tumor diameter and tumor capsule in imaging,had fine calibration and discrimination capabilities,with a C-index of 0.81(95%CI:0.74-0.87).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)of our model was larger than that of traditional liver cancer staging system,Korea model and Nomograms in Hepatectomy Patients with Hepatitis B VirusRelated Hepatocellular Carcinoma,indicating better discrimination capability.According to the models,we fitted the linear prediction equations.These results were validated in the validation cohort.Conclusions:Compared with previous radiography model,the new-developed predictive model was concise and applicable to predict the postoperative survival of patients with singular nodular HCC.Our models may preoperatively identify patients with high risk of recurrence.These patients may benefit from neoadjuvant therapy which may improve the patients’outcomes.

Advances in the Intervention of Prunella Spica Capsules on Postoperative Recurrence of Nodular Goiter

As important drugs for the treatment of nodular goiter(NG),Prunella Spica preparations are widely used clinically,and have a significant effect on NG.Various active ingredients in the preparations intervene in the formation of NG by inhibiting the proliferation of thyroid follicular cells,promoting cell apoptosis,regulating immunity,improving the microcirculation of thyroid tissue and other mechanisms,and can reduce the postoperative recurrence of NG.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma with nodular fasciitis-like stroma-an unusual variant with distinctive histopathology:A case report

BACKGROUND Papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)is regarded as a fairly common endocrine malignancy,which can be divided into different multiple variants due to wide morphologic differences.The majority of PTC variants have been reported,but PTC with nodular fasciitis-like stroma(NFS)is a rare pathological variant and has been infrequently reported in the relevant literature.This condition involves abundant reactive stromal components rich in spindle cells,which may account for 60%-80%of the tumor along with a typical papillary carcinoma.CASE SUMMARY A 44-year-old man presented with a 4-mo history of a palpable mass over the anterior aspect of the left neck,the tumor demonstrated gradual enlargement but was painless during the 4 mo prior to discovery.Thyroid function test results were normal.Physical examination showed an enormous and firm nodular mass in the left lobe of the thyroid gland extending to the level of the hyoid bone.Ultrasonography of the neck revealed a well-defined heterogeneous lesion measuring around 5.0 cm×4.0 cm with a hypoechoic complex nodule,decreased vascularity and speckles of microcalcification.The patient underwent left thyroidectomy with central compartment lymph node dissection.Final histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of PTC with extensive fibromatosis-like stroma combined with typical PTC.The patient was asymptomatic at the 3-mo follow-up.CONCLUSION PTC-NFS is a rare pathological variant and its diagnosis and prognosis may be similar to typical papillary carcinoma.

A STUDY OF ANTINODULARIZING PROPERTIES OF Pb, Bi, Al AND Ti IN NODULAR CAST IRON BY SPM

The nodular cast iron samples were prepared with the normal nodularizing process, in which the important antinodularizing elements Pb, Bi and Al were added respectively in order to research the influence of them on the nodularization of the graphites. The nodular graphites were extracted from the nodular cast iron by the electrolytic technique. The distribution of trace elements in nodular and deformed graphite were measured by Scanning Proton Microprobe (SPM). Most of the adding elements Pb, Bi and Al existed in matrix as impurities, a part of them intruded into the nodular graphites. A new suggestion of Ti antinodularizing properties had been proposed. The influence of Pb, Bi and Al on the nodularization was indirectly performed through Ti. Therefore, Ti is one of the most important antinodularizing elements.

Large focal nodular hyperplasia is unresponsive to arterial embolization: A case report

BACKGROUND Focal nodular hyperplasia(FNH)commonly occurs in women;it is usually asymptomatic and sometimes difficult to differentiate from hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).CASE SUMMARY A large space-occupying lesion in the right lobe of the liver was incidentally detected in an adult man and diagnosed as HCC.Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was applied once monthly for 2 years,but the lesion did not decrease in size.It was revealed by biopsy to be FNH.Eleven years later,the patient underwent liver resection due to hemorrhage and the pathological examination confirmed FNH.CONCLUSION For a space-occupying lesion,it is prerequisite to pathologically confirm the diagnosis and the corresponding intervention can be effective.

Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver in 86 patients

BACKGROUND: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), the second most common benign hepatic tumor after hemangioma, is characterized by a stellate central scar and hyperplastic nodules. Although some large FNH may be associated with significant symptoms, more frequently they are discovered incidentally on physical examination or the work-up of unrelated symptoms. Since its nature and pathogenesis are still controversial, accurate diagnosis of FNH based on clinical presentation and radiographic studies is difficult. The purpose of this study was to explore the diagnosis and treatment of FNH. METHODS: Eighty-six FNH patients confirmed patholo- gically were treated at the Liver Cancer Institute in our hospital from 1996 to 2006. Their clinical manifestions, imaging presentation, pathological findings, and surgical results were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 86 patients with 99 foci, 54 were male and 32 female, with a mean age of 37 years. Eighty patients had a single solitary focus and 6 had multiple foci. Tumor diameter was less than 5 cm in 69 patients, 5-10 cm in 15, and more than 10 cm in 2. The overall rate of correct preoperative diagnosis was 59.3% (51/86) including 32.9% (26/79) by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), 60.3% (35/58) by CT, and 77.4% (24/31) by MRI. All the 86 patients underwent resection with good curative effect.CONCLUSIONS: CT and MRI are important diagnostic methods for FNH but it is difficult to make a definite preoperative diagnosis for partial classical and all non- classical FNH patients. We suggest that patients with clinical symptoms or with indefinite diagnosis should accept surgical removal.

Rare case of an abdominal mass: Reactive nodular fibrous pseudotumor of the stomach encroaching on multiple abdominal organs

Reactive nodular fibrous pseudotumor(RNFP), which presents abdominal clinical manifestations and malignant radiographic results, usually requires radical resection as the treatment. However, RNFP has been recently described as an extremely rare benign postinflammatory lesion of a reactive nature, which typically arises from the sub-serosal layer of the digestive tract or within the surrounding mesentery in association with local injury or inflammation. In addition, a postoperative diagnosis is necessary to differentiate it from the other reactive processes of the abdomen. Furthermore, RNFP shows a good prognosis without signs of recurrence or metastasis. A 16-year-old girl presented with a 3-mo history of epigastric discomfort, and auxiliary examinations suggested a malignant tumor originating from the stomach; postoperative pathology confirmed RNFP, and after a 2-year follow-up period, the patient did not display any signs of recurrence. This case highlights the importance of preoperative pathology for surgeons who may encounter similar cases.

Ultrasonography of sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation in the spleen

We report three rare cases of sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation(SANT) in the spleen.We compared the conventional and contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic appearance.The conventional sonographic examinations exhibited solitary lesions without common respects,while contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) revealed nodular appearance mimicking its pathologic characteristics.It suggests that CEUS can provide morphologic information for diagnosing SANT.

Centrifugal Casting of High Speed Steel/Nodular Cast Iron Compound Roll Collar

The centrifugal casting of compound HSS/nodular cast iron roll collar was studied, and the factors affecting transition zone quality were analyzed. The pouring temperature and interval in pouring are the main factors affecting transition zone quality. By controlling process parameter and flux adding during casting, high quality roll collar was obtained. The cause, why in the casting of HSS part, segregation appears easily, was analyzed and the countermeasure eliminating segregation was put forward, the measure eliminating heat treatment crackling was also put forward.

Effect of fatty liver background on contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic appearance of focal nodular hyperplasia

BACKGROUND: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is increasingly diagnosed as a result of the advances in imaging studies such as contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. However, FNH with atypical features can be difficult to differentiate from other benign and malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of fatty liver background on the CEUS characteristics of FNH. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with FNH were divided into two groups: group A included 14 patients with fatty liver and group B included 12 patients with normal liver background. Conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) were conducted and followed by real-time dual-frame CEUS. RESULTS: On two-dimensional ultrasonography, hypo-echoic nodules were present in most of the patients in group A (12/14) and hyperechoic nodules in most of those in group B (7/12). The difference in the nodule echotextures between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Nodules with centrifugal blood flow signals on CDFI were found in 6 of the 14 patients in group A and 5 of the 12 in group B (P>0.05). On CEUS, nodules with a central spoked-wheel-like enhancement pattern in the early arterial phase were observed in 8 patients in group A and those with an eccentric enhancement pattern in the remaining 6 patients. In this group, 3 patients had hypoechoic nodules in the delayed phase. Eleven of the 14 patients in this group were diagnosed accurately with CEUS. In group B, nodules with a rapid central spoked-wheel-like enhancement pattern in the early arterial phase were found in 8 patients by CEUS and those with rapid an eccentric enhancement pattern in 4. The nodules were found to be continuously enhanced in the delayed phase. All of the patients in group B were accurately diagnosed with CEUS. CONCLUSIONS: A FNH nodule on a background of fatty liver may present a hypoechoic pattern on two-dimensional ultrasonography and a hypoechoic wash-out pattern in the delayed phase on CEUS. At this time, punch biopsy is needed for the diagnosis or differential diagnosis of FNH.

Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: pathological analysis of 11 cases

BACKGROUND: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign tumor-like lesion of the liver, predominantly affect- ing women. Its etiology is obscure and its pathogenesis is poorly understood. FNH should be differentiated from oth- er benign and malignant hepatic lesions. The aim of this study was to explore the pathological characteristics of FNH of the liver. METHODS: Eleven patients with FNH were studied retro- spectively by using hematoxylin and eosin, immunohisto- chemical and histochemical staining. RESULTS: In 8 female and 3 male FNH patients aged 19 to 54 years (mean 32), most of lesions showed central scars macroscopically. Microscopically 8 patients were found of classical type, 2 were of telangiectic type, and 1 was of mixed type. CONCLUSION: FNH is an uncommon benign hyperplastic lesion of the liver. It should be differentiated from hepato- cellular adenoma, alpha-fetoprotein negative hepatocellular carcinoma, and fibrolamellar carcinoma.

Human immunodeficiency virus and nodular regenerative hyperplasia of liver: A systematic review

AIM: To investigate the diagnosis, pathogenesis, natural history, and management of nodular regenerative hyperplasia(NRH) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV). METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the medical literature regarding NRH in patients with HIV. Inclusion criteria include reports with biopsy proven NRH. We studied the clinical features of NRH, in particular, related to its presenting manifestation and laboratory values. Combinations of the following keywords were implemented: "nodular regenerative hyperplasia", "human immunodeficiency virus", "noncirrhotic portal hypertension", "idiopathic portal hypertension", "cryptogenic liver disease", "highly active antiretroviral therapy" and "didanosine". The bibliographies of these studies were subsequently searched for any additional relevant publications.RESULTS: The clinical presentation of patients with NRH varies from patients being completely asymptomatic to the development of portal hypertension – namely esophageal variceal bleeding and ascites. Liver associated enzymes are generally normal and synthetic function well preserved. There is a strong association between the occurrence of NRH and the use of antiviral therapies such as didanosine. The management of NRH revolves around treating the manifestations of portal hypertension. The prognosis of NRH is generally good since liver function is preserved. A high index of suspicion is required to make a identify NRH. CONCLUSION: The appropriate management of HIVinfected persons with suspected NRH is yet to be outlined. However, NRH is a clinically subtle condition that is difficult to diagnose, and it is important to be able to manage it according to the best available evidence.

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia related portal hypertension in a patient with hypogammaglobulinaemia

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) of liver is a relatively rare liver disorder, but a frequent cause of noncirrhotic portal hypertension. We present a lady with common variable immune deficiency who presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and deranged liver function tests but preserved synthetic function. Upper gastrointestinal endoscope showed bleeding gastric varices and non-bleeding oesophageal varices. Although her oesophageal varices were eradicated by repeated endoscopic band ligation, the gastric varices failed to resolve after repeated endoscopic histocryl injection and she eventually needed transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement. Liver biopsy showed NRH. We review the association of hypogammaglobinaemia and NRH and discuss the appropriate management of portal hypertension in NRH.

Focal nodular hyperplasia coexistent with hepatoblastoma in a 36-d-old infant

Focal nodular hyperplasia(FNH) is a benign hepatic tumor characterized by hepatocyte hyperplasia and a central stellate scar.The association of FNH with other hepatic lesions,such as adenomas,hemangiomas and hepatocellular carcinoma,has been previously reported,but FNH associated with another hepatic tumor is rare in infants.Here we report a case of FNH coexistentwith hepatoblastoma in a 36-d-old girl.Computed tomography(CT) imaging showed an ill-delineated,inhomogeneous enhanced mass with a central star-like scar in the right lobe of the liver.The tumor showed early mild enhancement at the arterial phase(from 40 HU without contrast to 52 HU at the arterial phase),intense enhancement at the portal phase(87.7HU) and 98.1HU in the 3-min delay scan.A central scar in the tumor presented as low density on non-contrast CT and slightly enhanced at delayed contrast-enhanced scanning.This infant underwent surgical resection of the tumor.Histopathology demonstrated typical FNH coexistent with a focal hepatoblastoma,which showed epithelioid tumor cells separated by proliferated fibrous tissue.

Multi-parameter ultrasound based on the logistic regression model in the differential diagnosis of hepatocellular adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia

BACKGROUND Focal nodular hyperplasia(FNH)has very low potential risk,and a tendency to spontaneously resolve.Hepatocellular adenoma(HCA)has a certain malignant tendency,and its prognosis is significantly different from FNH.Accurate identification of HCA and FNH is critical for clinical treatment.AIM To analyze the value of multi-parameter ultrasound index based on logistic regression for the differential diagnosis of HCA and FNH.METHODS Thirty-one patients with HCA were included in the HCA group.Fifty patients with FNH were included in the FNH group.The clinical data were collected and recorded in the two groups.Conventional ultrasound,shear wave elastography,and contrast-enhanced ultrasound were performed,and the lesion location,lesion echo,Young’s modulus(YM)value,YM ratio,and changes of time intense curve(TIC)were recorded.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen the indicators that can be used for the differential diagnosis of HCA and FNH.A ROC curve was established for the potential indicators to analyze the accuracy of the differential diagnosis of HCA and FNH.The value of the combined indicators for distinguishing HCA and FNH were explored.RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lesion echo(P=0.000),YM value(P=0.000)and TIC decreasing slope(P=0.000)were the potential indicators identifying HCA and FNH.In the ROC curve analysis,the accuracy of the YM value distinguishing HCA and FNH was the highest(AUC=0.891),which was significantly higher than the AUC of the lesion echo and the TIC decreasing slope(P<0.05).The accuracy of the combined diagnosis was the highest(AUC=0.938),which was significantly higher than the AUC of the indicators diagnosing HCA individually(P<0.05).This sensitivity was 91.23%,and the specificity was 83.33%.CONCLUSION The combination of lesion echo,YM value and TIC decreasing slope can accurately differentiate between HCA and FNH.

Multiple focal nodular hyperplasias induced by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign condition that affects normal liver with low prevalence. Recently, the extensive use of oxaliplatin to treat patients with colorectal cancer has been reported to be associated with the development of different liver injuries, as well as focal liver lesions. The present work describes two patients with multiple bilateral focal liver lesions mis-diagnosed as colorectal liver metastases, and treated with liver resection. The first patient had up to 15 small bilateral focal liver lesions, with magnetic resonance imaging consistent with colorectal liver metastases (CLM), and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) negative. The second patient had up to 5 small focal liver lesions, with computed tomography consistent with CLM, and FDG-PET negative. They had parenchyma sparing liver surgery, with uneventful postoperative course. At the histology the diagnosis was multiple FNHs. The risks of oxaliplatin- based chemotherapy regimens in development of liver injuries, such as FNH, should not be further denied.The value of the modern multidisciplinary management of patients with colorectal cancer relies also on the precise estimation of the risk/benefit for each patient.

Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia in the gastrointestinal tract in adult patients: A review

Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the gastrointestinal tract is characterized by the presence of multiple small nodules, normally between between 2 and 10 mm in diameter, distributed along the small intestine(more often), stomach, large intestine, or rectum. The patho-genesis is largely unknown. It can occur in all age groups, but primarily in children and can affect adults with or without immunodeficiency. Some patients have an associated disease, namely, common variable immu-nodeficiency, selective IgA deficiency, Giardia infection, or, more rarely, human immunodeficiency virus infec-tion, celiac disease, or Helicobacter pylori infection. Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia generally presents as an asymptomatic disease, but it may cause gastrointes-tinal symptoms like abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, bleeding or intestinal obstruction. A diagnosis is made at endoscopy or contrast barium studies and should be confirmed by histology. Its histological characteristics include markedly hyperplasic, mitotically active germi-nal centers and well-defined lymphocyte mantles found in the lamina propria and/or in the superficial submu-cosa, distributed in a diffuse or focal form. Treatment is directed towards associated conditions because the disorder itself generally requires no intervention. Nodu-lar lymphoid hyperplasia is a risk factor for both intes-tinal and, very rarely, extraintestinal lymphoma. Someauthors recommend surveillance, however, the duration and intervals are undefined.

SIZE DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR OF VC PARTICLES IN FERRITIC NODULAR CAST IRON

Size distribution and precipitation of VC particles in ferritic nodular cast iron havebeen examined by techniques of ultrasonic screening,small angle X-ray scattering andchemical dissolution.The VC particles are sized over a wide range.The superfine ones,dispersed in the ferritic matrix,are the majority.A saturated dispersion with ultrafineVC particles may be approached as the V content increasing in the iron.Thi5 seems toplay an important role in the precipitation strengthening for ferritic nodular cast iron.