Annales d'anatomie pathologique最新文献

Ultrastructural study of a case of fibrous dysplasia taken together with the rare data in the literature confirmed that the morphological characteristics of this lesion consist of a typical appearance of "woven bone", irregularly mineralised, containing osteocytes and bordered by osteoblasts, clearly distinct from fibroblasts. The cell elements are invariably endowed with a large microbrillary cytoplasmic brush, apparently made up of scleroproteins and showing the usual ultrastructural characteristics associated with low metabolic activity. The presence of myofibroblasts is unlikely. The numerous mastocytes seen by light microscopy show a large number of "rosette" granulation at electrom microscopy, which distinguishes them from the mastocytes seen in osseous modelling. These morphological data provide no decisive argument in favour of the truly dysplasic nature of this lesion.

A case of "piebaldism" is studied under the electron microscope. The authors observe a great diminuation of melanocytes in the achromatic zones, contrasting with a hyperplasia of the Langerhans Cells. There also exists a large number of hyalin bodies, both intra-epidermic and dermic. The first seem to be formed on contact with degenerative mastocytes and Langerhans Cells, and could represent a way of elimination of these cells. As in certain previous cases, they found many mastocytes in the epidermis.

Morphological study of the ovular membranes showing that under the amnion, until term, there persists perfectly live and active chorial cytotrophoblast covered by a well vascularised and developed parietal decidua. Under the electron microscopy, the apical pole of the amniotic cells as well as their intercellular space are bordered by microvilli. Their basal pole has squat pedicels. The chorion which supports the amnion is avascular. The surface of the cytotrophoblast opposite the chorio-amnion is raised by numerous protuberances in the form of pedicels. The trophoblast is also furrowed by intercellular canals bordered by microvilli and reinforced by desmosomes. Two cellular appearances may be distinguished in the trophoblast: elements similar to the syncytial type with the characteristics of steroid cells and elements of a Langhans type which may play a role in protein synthesis. The decidual cells, in a quinconcial perivascular arrangement, are rich in pinocytotic vesicles. Thus whilst it is undeniable that the foetus plays a certain role in the dynamics of the amniotic fluid by swallowing and urinary excretion, these phenomena are minimal in relation to exchanges through the ovular membranes. Transamniotic passage is the first stage in movement of the fluid. The chorion, by virtue of its plexiform, areolar structure forms the next stop. From the chorion, the circulation continues through the intercellular canals of the trophoblast and the amniotic fluid is thus brought into the well vascularised parietal decidua. In addition to this extracellular circulation, the authors fell that there exists an intracellular passage by uptake and secretion, as evidenced by the high degree of pinocytosis within the cells.

On the basis of a new case of Fabry's disease and the various cases published in the literature, the authors analyse the vascular lesions of this angiodysplasia related to an error in lipid metabolism. They emphasise the involvement of lymph vessels (in particular those of the small bowel), and the ultrastructural characteristics and the mode of formation of deposits within the endothelial cells of the vascular walls.

This study is based on the investigation by light and electron microscopy of hepatic biopsies from 14 rats rendered diabetic by streptozotocin and treated by portal embolization of islets of Langerhans. Macroscopically, voluminous projecting cysts were observed, sometimes occupying a whole lobe. By light microscopy, the cysts were lined with canalicular-type epithelium. Ultrastructural studies confirmed the canalicular nature of these cells and cilia were frequently observed. The presence of identical cysts in rats rendered diabetic by streptozotocin but not treated by embolization proves that this product is the agent responsible for the induction of this adenomatosis.

Lindane or HCH is gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, still used as an agricultural insecticide. Tests were carried out using primary cultures of chicken embryo hepatocytes at the 11th day of incubation, for a fixed period of 40 hours, using different concentrations of the substance. From 0.5 to 10 mumol/l, acid phosphatase fell significantly, without any other consequences being observed. From 25 to 50 mumol/l, there was a tendency to hypertrophy of the mitochondria, to hyperplasia of the granular and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and of the Golgi system. Growth was unchanged and acid phosphatase decreased. From 75 to 125 mumol/l, these changes were accompanied by signs of cellular damage and there was marked autophagia. Growth was reduced and acid phosphatase greatly decreased. From 150 to 175 mumol/l, the lesions were markedly polymorphous and some indicative of impending cytolysis, in particular spiral tearing of the hyaloplasm. Growth was markedly impaired, whilst there was a paradoxal increase in acid phosphatase. In increasing concentration, L first had the effect of a metabolisable foreign substance, of the "phenobarbital" type, then a definite toxic action. Sensitivity of the individual hepatocytes differed.

A case of primary sarcoma of the pulmonary artery presenting with the symptomatology of a bronchopulmonary tumour is studied in comparison with those reported up to the present in the literature. The tumour, examined in the pneumonectomy specimen, appeared to be inserted into the trunk of the left pulmonary artery with unusual propagation in the distal arteries. It had also spread into the neighbouring bronchial lumina. Histologically, the appearance was, rarely, that of a haemangioendotheliosarcoma. The histogenesis of these neoplasms is briefly discussed.

Ten cases of angiosarcoma of the liver among vinyl chloride workers from a plant in Shawinigan, Québec, are reported. The author insist mostly on the occupational history of these workers and on the morphologic description of the lesions. A pathogenic hypothesis is submitted.

The histoenzymological and ultrastructural study of a haemangipericytoma with the clinical and histological characteristics of malignancy led to the identification within the tumour, in addition to pericytes and more differentiated cells, fibroblastic or muscular, of younger cells. The latter, arranged in cords undergo multiple appearances of transformation to result in a double maturation, at one and the same time pericytic and angio-endothelial, rarely seen up to the present in haemangipericytomas.

Recent observation of a case of idiopathic chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and the relationship sometimes suggested in this context with certain systemic diseases, such as scleroderma, led the authors to compare the changes seen in the myenteric plexuses in these different groups of disorders. The intramural plexuses were studied using the technique of B. Smith, in thick frozen section parallel to the lumen and stained using Bielchowsky's method. Plexus innervation was normal in a case of digestive amyloidosis and a case of myxoedema. There were secondary changes in the plexuses in scleroderma. The lesions were very different in our case of idiopathic chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (marked decrease in the number of neurones with degenerative changes in the neurones and dendrites, marked schwannosis). A decrease in the number of neurones was seen in a case of severe diabetes. Various mechanisms are discussed. These cases emphasize the great value of B. Smith's technique in the fine study of the intramural plexus innervation of the digestive wall.