Florid endocervical glandular hyperplasia with pyloric gland metaplasia: a radiologic pitfall

An Unusual Presentation of a Huge Nabothian Cyst of Cervix With Manifestation of Uterine Prolapse: A Case Report

Background

Nabothian cysts are common benign cervical lesions in women of reproductive age. They usually occur due to childbirth or minor trauma; mostly are small and asymptomatic. However, huge nabothian cysts may have variable presentation and can even mimic malignancy thus, biopsy is recommended to rule out malignancy. The unusual presentation of nabothian cyst as uterine prolapse makes it a diagnostic challenge for management of the patient similar to the present case.

Case report

We report a case of a huge nabothian cyst in a perimenopausal, multiparous woman who presented with complaints of something coming out of vagina suddenly after mild heavyweight lifting and pain abdomen. Pelvic examination revealed a second degree uterine prolapse with a large lump protruding outside the vagina. Transvaginal ultrasonography demonstrated a multicystic cervical mass of size 9.5 cm × 8.0 cm arising from the posterior lip of cervix that was protruding through the vaginal canal. After excision of mass, prolapse became first degree. Histopathologic diagnosis was a cervical nabothian cyst. Patient had persisting first degree uterine prolapse along with posterior vaginal wall prolapse on subsequent postoperative follow ups. Hence, vaginal hysterectomy with repair to the vaginal wall was performed later.

Conclusion

The present case of nabothian cyst is reported for its unusual presentation as uterine prolapse. The risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in the present case are advancing age, multiparity and perimenopausal status. The connective tissue and levator ani muscle became weak and the nabothian cyst unmasked the POP that was latent and asymptomatic by increasing the prolapse from first degree to second degree.

Cytomorphologic Features of Gastric-Type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma in Liquid-Based Preparations

OBJECTIVE

Gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GAS) is a recently described, uncommon, and aggressive tumor with distinct morphologic features and HPV-independent etiology. Data on GAS in liquid-based cytology (LBC) Papanicolaou (Pap) test preparations from a North American patient population are scant. We systematically assessed the cytomorphologic characteristics of GAS in LBC from patients in Ontario and examined if glandular cell nuclear area could represent a readily assessable feature which may aid in GAS detection.

STUDY DESIGN

Pap test slides preceding the diagnosis of GAS were retrieved locally or requested from outside laboratories. A structured review of 15 cytomorphologic features was performed using the available LBC Pap test slides of GAS and a set of usual-type endocervical adenocarcinomas (UEA). Morphometry of the glandular cell nuclear area was performed, and normalized values were compared to UEA and benign endocervical cells.

RESULTS

At least 1 Pap test (5 ThinPrep®, 11 SurePath®, and 1 direct smear) was available for 14 patients. Original LBC Pap test diagnoses were negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) (7), adenocarcinoma/carcinoma (6), atypical glandular cells (2), and adenocarcinoma in situ (1). Review detected abnormal glandular cells in 6/7 NILM cases. Honeycomb-like sheets, nuclear enlargement, and microvesicular cytoplasm were the single most common architectural, nuclear, and cytoplasmic features, respectively. Microvesicular cytoplasm (100 vs. 17%), honeycomb-like sheets (87 vs. 8%), prominent nucleoli (93 vs. 25%), and anisonucleosis (93 vs. 50%) were most discriminatory for GAS versus UEA, respectively. Yellow mucin, intranuclear cytoplasmic pseudoinclusions, and goblet/Paneth-like cells were uncommon, but unique for GAS. Glandular cell nuclear area normalized to neutrophils was found to be significantly increased in GAS compared to benign endocervical cells.

CONCLUSIONS

GAS is under-recognized and may mimic reactive endocervical cells. Awareness of the tumor type and its cytomorphology is critical for early detection. Identification of glandular cells with uniform nuclear enlargement in conjunction with any of the other cytologic features may help avoid false-negative Pap results. Neutrophils may serve as convenient size reference and visual aid.

Gastric-type mucinous carcinoma of the cervix and its precursors - historical overview

The emerging concept of gastric-type mucinous carcinoma (GAS) of the uterine cervix has been accepted worldwide because of its aggressive clinical behaviour and the absence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). GAS is included as a variant of mucinous carcinoma in the 2014 World Health Organization classification, and its recognition has provoked a discussion on endocervical adenocarcinoma as a single entity such that endocervical adenocarcinoma is now divided into HPV-associated and HPV-independent groups. This article reviews historical and conceptual aspects of GAS and its precursors, starting with minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA), through the ensuing confusion, up to the recent paradigm shift in cervical adenocarcinoma subclassification. The gastric immunophenotype of MDA was demonstrated by a Japanese group in 1998 using the HIK1083 antibody, which recognises gastric pyloric gland mucin, and this elucidated the pathogenesis of this particular tumour. However, this information resulted in overdiagnosis of lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (LEGH), first described in 1999 and which represents pyloric gland metaplasia (PGM), as malignant. In the early 2000s the relationship between MDA and LEGH/PGM became a matter of controversy. In 2007 HIK1083 immunohistochemistry extended the morphological spectrum of endocervical adenocarcinoma showing gastric differentiation beyond MDA, which resulted in the proposal of GAS as a distinct entity including MDA as its very well-differentiated subtype. GAS is now considered to be an aggressive and chemoresistant neoplasm that is not related to high-risk HPV. The LEGH/PGM-GAS sequence is currently regarded as an HPV-independent pathway of carcinogenesis. Understanding the underlying molecular events in this process is key to the development of biomarkers for early detection and molecular targeted therapy.

Large Multilocular Cystic Lesions in the Uterine Cervix: Differential Diagnosis and Significance

Introduction:

Cervical nabothian cysts are common in women of reproductive age. Although cysts are generally small and asymptomatic, large ones are extremely rare and may be misdiagnosed as malignancy.

Case Study:

We report a case of large multiple complex nabothian cyst, which was suspected as malignant one on imaging and examination. Pelvic examination and ultrasonography revealed ballooned cervix with multiple large complex nabothian follicles. There was an associated large adnexal mass with ascites. The patient was treated with total hysterectomy and omentectomy after aspiration of the fluid from the cervical cysts for debulking and limiting complications. Pathology revealed granulosa cell ovarian tumor, omental panniculitis, and cervical nabothian follicles.

Conclusion:

Large nabothian cysts should be kept in mind for differential diagnosis of cervical tumors. Ultrasonography is of value for the diagnosis of giant nabothian cysts and can aid in exclusion of malignancy. Differentiation between a malignant cystic lesion, such as an adenoma malignum, and a benign cystic lesion is crucial but difficult. Cervical nabothian follicles can be multiple and attain a large size up to 4 cm each. It is commonly benign but we should keep in mind the rare adenoma malignum on imaging and histopathology.

Minimal deviation mucinous adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix that proved difficult to differentiate from endometrial cancer: A case report

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA), also known as adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix, accounts for only ~1% of uterine cervical adenocarcinomas. Adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix was initially described by Gusserow in 1870. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MDA appears as multilocular lesions with solid components that extend from the endocervical glands to the deep cervical stroma. Cytological evaluation and biopsies have low detection rates, therefore, it is difficult to diagnose MDA accurately prior to treatment. The current study describes a rare case of MDA that was difficult to differentiate from endometrial adenocarcinoma of the corpus uteri preoperatively, as the endometrial biopsy results suggested a well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma and MRI did not show typical images for MDA. A total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed under the diagnosis of endometrial cancer, and the mass was subsequently diagnosed as MDA of the uterine cervix by pathological examination of the hysterectomy specimen. Postoperatively, although two types of adjuvant chemotherapy were performed, the remaining tumor continued to grow, causing obstruction of the bilateral ureters and leading to bilateral hydronephrosis. The patient is currently alive with the disease 10 months following the surgery.

Adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix: imaging features with clinicopathologic correlation

BACKGROUND

Adenoma malignum, also known as minimal deviation adenocarcinoma, is a subtype of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the cervix.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical, pathologic, and imaging features of the adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the CT and MRI findings in 13 patients: size, endoluminal fluid, appearance of the solid and cystic component, margin, enhancement, characteristics of locules of the cystic lesion, tumor spread, and associated ovarian lesion. Clinical and pathologic features were determined in 24 patients.

RESULTS

The mean of the major tumor diameter was 4.1 cm (range, 2.2-6.5 cm). In the imaging features, 77% of 13 tumors demonstrated endoluminal fluid. All tumors showed enhancing solid components; 62% were multicystic and 38% had solid lesions. Most solid lesions exhibited an irregular margin (80%). The locules of the multicystic lesions tended to have smooth margins (75%), to have an average major diameter of ≤1 cm (88%), and to be 11-20 in number (75%). The solid lesions were associated with invasion and metastases (60%). Clinically, 38% of 24 patients had watery discharge and 13% had Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, while pathologically, most patients were low stage (I or II) (83%). Over the 2-year follow-up of 17 patients, 82% was free from disease. The patients with more aggressive tumors or an unfavorable prognosis that manifested as tumor recurrence or metastasis tended to have invasion, watery discharges, high stages (III or IV) (100%) and solid lesions, metastases, and associated ovarian lesions (67%).

CONCLUSION

Awareness of imaging features as well as clinicopathologic manifestations of adenoma malignum can aid in accurate diagnosis, treatment, and prediction of prognosis.

Adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix: ultrasonographic findings in 11 patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ultrasonographic features of adenoma malignum, a minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix.

METHODS

Eighteen consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed adenoma malignum were enrolled in this study at two institutions. Preoperative ultrasound examination was performed and the results were available in 11 patients. We analyzed retrospectively the gray-scale ultrasound findings for the following morphologic characteristics: cervical enlargement, as well as size, location and ultrasonographic characteristics of lesions. In five patients we also evaluated Doppler features with regard to intralesional vascularity.

RESULTS

The cervix was enlarged in 73% (8/11) of cases. The mean greatest tumor diameter was 4.2 (range, 2.5-6.8) cm. In five (45%) cases, the cervix was completely infiltrated by the tumor. At gray-scale ultrasound examination, three (27%) tumors were multilocular lesions, four (36%) were multilocular lesions with solid components and four (36%) were solid lesions. In the multilocular lesions with or without a solid component, locules tended to be 1 cm or less in average diameter (86%, 6/7 cases) and there tended to be 11-20 in number (57%, 4/7 cases). In most (57%, 4/7) cases the locular fluid was homogeneously hypoechoic. Most (75%, 3/4) solid lesions manifested heterogeneous echogenicity. The five (100%) tumors examined with Doppler manifested moderate or abundant color content on color or power Doppler.

CONCLUSIONS

Adenoma malignum can appear sonographically as solid, multilocular and multilocular solid cervical lesions. Awareness of its clinical and ultrasonographic features might improve diagnosis before surgery.

Intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusion is a significant diagnostic feature for the differentiation of lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia from minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the cervix

Lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (LEGH) is a cervical lesion with pyloric gland metaplasia. Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) is an extremely well differentiated form of endocervical adenocarcinoma (AC). To date, it is difficult to differentiate LEGH from MDA because they share similar clinical, radiological, and immunohistochemical features. Furthermore, the cytological features of LEGH and MDA have not been well defined. In the present study, we describe the cytological features of LEGH and MDA. We reviewed 24 cases of LEGH (18 pure and six mixed forms) and four MDA cases of the cervix. A total of 40 cytologic smears from 28 patients were reviewed. Abundant yellow mucin was frequently present in both LEGH and MDA; however, an INCI was found in 22 of the 24 LEGH cases and it was not found in either MDA or adenocarcinoma cells associated with LEGH. Neither cell atypia nor architectural distortion was observed in LEGH. In MDA, slight cellular atypia, three dimensional, irregular cell clustering, and prominent nucleoli were observed. The presence of an INCI is a good parameter for the diagnosis of LEGH. Cytology is an effective aid in the differentiation of LEGH from MDA.

Radiological features of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the uterine cervix is a rare primary neoplasm of the uterus that occurs in post-menopausal women; its radiological findings have not been described previously. We present the MR findings of a case of ACC. The mass exhibited homogeneous low-signal intensity on T1-weighted images. On T2-weighted images, the mass showed high-signal intensity with a lobulated contour and multiple septum-like internal architectures. It also contained spots of very high-signal intensity, which would represent the mucin in the glandular lumen. The multiple septum-like internal architectures probably represented interglandular fibrous stroma. These MRI findings may be helpful for future diagnoses of ACC of the uterine cervix.

MR imaging of the uterine cervix: imaging-pathologic correlation

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is useful not only for preoperative staging of gynecologic malignancies but also for prediction of the histopathologic features of a variety of intrapelvic tumors. Familiarity with the specific imaging findings that have been reported for the uterine cervix is a goal of radiologists. The typical MR imaging findings of uterine cervical lesions correspond to the histopathologic features. These lesions can be categorized as epithelial neoplasms, nonepithelial neoplasms, and nonneoplastic diseases. Cervical carcinoma accounts for most cases of malignant lesions and is staged by using the classification system established by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. MR imaging allows differentiation between endophytic and exophytic growth and between normal and abnormal findings after hysterectomy and irradiation. Other epithelial neoplasms of the uterine cervix include adenoma malignum, which is a special type of cervical adenocarcinoma, as well as carcinoid tumor and malignant melanoma. Nonepithelial neoplasms of the uterine cervix include malignant lymphoma and leiomyoma. Nonneoplastic diseases of the uterine cervix include cervical pregnancy, cervicitis, nabothian cysts, polyps, and endometriosis.

Diagnostic significance of endocervical glandular cells with "golden-yellow" mucin on pap smear

Endocervical glandular cells rarely show "golden-yellow" mucin staining using the Papanicolaou technique, whereas the cells of adenoma malignum (minimal deviation adenocarcinoma) do. To further evaluate the significance of this finding, we reviewed the Pap smears of six cases in which atypical glandular cells containing golden-yellow mucin was identified. Microscopic examination of the hysterectomy specimens confirmed one case of adenoma malignum, whereas the other five cases were diagnosed as endocervical glandular hyperplasia with pyloric gland metaplasia. Glandular cells observed in all six cases were filled with golden-yellow mucin. In the case of adenoma malignum the nuclei were somewhat more enlarged and the chromatin texture was coarsely granular, although a distinction between adenoma malignum and the five benign lesions was difficult. Special staining performed on tissue sections in all cases demonstrated that the intracytoplasmic mucin of the glandular cells in portion of both pyloric gland metaplasia and adenoma malignum was predominantly PAS-positive and showed immunoreactivity for M-GGMC-1 (HIK1083), which reacts with pyloric gland mucin of the stomach. A review of 1,165 consecutive Pap smears failed to identify cells with golden-yellow mucin. These observations indicate that golden-yellow mucin on Papanicolaou smear seems to represent a gastric phenotype of endocervical glandular cells, which is a unique characteristic shared by adenoma malignum and pyloric gland metaplasia. This finding should therefore be regarded as a warning sign, raising the possibility of adenoma malignum and requiring prompt histopathologic assessment, although not of itself diagnostic of malignancy.