Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: evaluation of prognostic factors and analysis of pathologic findings

CONCLUSION

In Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), a low ratio of blastic cells (<70%) in lymph node specimens and absence of atypical lymphocytes in peripheral blood are predictive of a protracted clinical course.

OBJECTIVES

Since KFD is a self-limiting disorder that does not require any specific management, prognostic factors have received little attention. The present study identified clinical and pathological factors that may affect the period from onset to cure of KFD.

METHODS

This retrospective study investigated 43 KFD patients who underwent lymph node biopsy diagnosed by immunohistochemical staining at Okayama University Hospital and Okayama Medical Center from January 2001 to December 2013.

RESULTS

Mean total period from onset to cure was 6 months (median =9.4 months; range =1-37 months). Low ratios of blastic cell proliferation area (<70%) in lymph node specimens (p = 0.011) and absence of atypical lymphocytes in peripheral blood (p = 0.026) were associated with a relatively long duration of KFD.

Extranodal Lymphoproliferative Processes and Flow Cytometry

OBJECTIVE

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is a safe and cost-effective technique for the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative processes, especially when correlated with clinical and imaging studies. However, cytology alone may be unable to detect a lymphoid neoplastic process, as architectural features are less obvious than in histologic preparations and, in certain cases, reactive processes may mimic lymphoma. Flow cytometry (FC) has been recognized as an important ancillary technique in the diagnosis of lymphoid neoplasms and it can be used in conjunction with FNA in the evaluation of lymphoproliferative processes.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a review of the published literature concerning FC applied to the detection of salivary glands and thyroid lymphoproliferative processes, which are frequently related to autoimmune diseases and difficult to diagnose by cytomorphology alone.

RESULTS

FC is able to detect and subtype non-Hodgkin lymphomas and may contribute to the exclusion of a neoplastic process in cytologically unclear cases.

CONCLUSIONS

FC can be successfully applied in the differential diagnosis of lymphoproliferative processes in the head and neck region. The FNA-FC combined approach can reduce time to therapy and may prevent unnecessary surgical biopsies.

[A Clinical Study of a Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) Lymphoma of Salivary Glands]

Malignant lymphoma involving the salivary glands is a rare entity that accounts for only 1 to 4% of all salivary gland tumors. We have analyzed the clinical features of MALT lymphoma of the salivary glands in 7 patients whom we have treated in the past 10 years, including data from 43 patients in the literature. The most common symptom was persistent or progressive swelling of the salivary glands without pain or facial palsy. The affected glands were the unilateral parotid in 62%, the unilateral submandibular gland in 6.8%, and the bilateral parotid or submandibular gland in 6.8%. The salivary gland swelling as evaluated by MRI or ultrasonography consisted of a localized solitary tumor in 68.9%, multiple tumors in 10.3%, and diffuse swelling of the gland in 26.1%. In 24 out of 50 patients, MALT lymphoma developed on the basis of Sjögren's syndrome. As for diagnosis, malignant lymphoma was suspected only in 4 cases out of 11 (36.7%) based on the fine needle aspiration cytology. In all patients, a definitive diagnosis was obtained based on histopathological study of the localized tumor or the biopsy specimens. When patients with Sjögren's syndrome have developed persistent swelling of the salivary glands, it is necessary to rule out malignant lymphomas, especially MALT lymphoma, by combination of ultrasonography, MRI, FNA, and biopsy or open surgery depending on image findings. The treatment of MALT lymphoma has not yet been standardized because MALT lymphoma is a rare entity. The choice of initial treatment is important because it is related to its prognosis. If MALT lymphoma remains in a local site, we should undertake an operation or radiotherapy. If MALT lymphoma has dissemineated systemically, we should choose chemotherapy.

Characteristic ultrasound features of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the salivary and thyroid gland

CONCLUSION

The characteristic ultrasound appearance of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the head and neck provides diagnostic information regarding masses or swellings in the head and neck region.

OBJECTIVES

There are only a few reports about ultrasound features of malignant lymphoma (ML) of the head and neck. We have noticed that the ultrasound appearances of cases with MALT lymphoma resembled each other even when the appearances of other images like computed tomography were absolutely different. The objective of this study was to delineate the reliability of this characteristic ultrasound appearance of MALT lymphoma of the head and neck.

METHODS

The ultrasound examinations of 30 patients with histopathologically proven primary ML of the head and neck (15 cases of MALT) were reviewed. The ultrasound results of each case were independently compared to the results of the histopathological examination.

RESULTS

Two ultrasound patterns were observed for MALT lymphoma. The first was characterized by a marked hypoechoic area with interspersed linear echogenic strands (linear echogenic strands pattern), and the second was characterized by multiple, relatively large, hypoechoic segments (segmental pattern). Histopathologically, these patterns could be explained on the basis of the expansion of lymphoma cells demarcated by narrow or wide fibrous bands.

Cutting needle biopsy combined with immunohistochemical study of myeloperoxidase for the diagnosis of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis

CONCLUSION

Cutting needle biopsy (CNB) combined with immunohistochemical study of myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a useful minimally invasive diagnostic procedure for histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL).

OBJECTIVES

HNL is mainly diagnosed by pathological findings of open surgical biopsy (OSB) specimens. Recently the appearance of anti-MPO positive histiocytes has been reported as a highly specific pathological diagnosis for HNL. Considering the cosmetic impact and burden on the patients, we performed CNB combined with immunohistochemical study of MPO for the diagnosis of HNL. Few studies have reported the utility of this method in the diagnosis of HNL.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted using clinical data from 20 HNL patients.

RESULTS

CNB was performed in 8 patients and OSB in 13 (OSB after CNB in 1). MPO-positive histiocytes were observed in all of the 20 cases. The accuracy of the diagnoses was finally confirmed by the clinical courses in all cases.