1/2. Tissue culture, electron microscopic and enzyme histochemical investigations of extraadrenal paragangliomas.light and electromicroscopical as well as histochemical investigations were performed on three cases of extraadrenal paragangliomas. They were localized in the carotid body, tympanicum and cauda equina region. Tissue of two cases was cultivated in vitro in nutrient medium TCM 199. The tumours were classified as paragangliomas of the paraganglionic type with typical cell clusters, of the adenomatous and angiomatous type. The enzyme histochemistry showed a very high dehydrogenase activity. Ultrastructurally numerous typical osmiophilic granules could be observed in the cytoplasm of the tumour cells. In tissue culture only a minimal cellular proliferative activity could be detected. The few proliferating cell colonies showed mostly characteristics of epithelial tissue and sometimes a similar behaviour to cells of a ganglioneuroblastoma. The minimal proliferative activity in vitro is in good agreement with the proliferative behaviour of the extraadrenal paragangliomas in vivo.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = behaviour (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/2. radionuclide angiography and surgery for familial bilateral chemodectomas.carotid body tumours, or chemodectomas, can occur on both sides of the neck (5%), and this bilaterality increases sixfold (30%) where a familial pattern is evident. The known pathological behaviour of chemodectomas makes early recognition and management desirable, especially when an inherited predisposition can be anticipated. Difficulties in clinical diagnosis and the hazards of blind exploration have imposed a reliance on contrast angiography, which is a potentially dangerous procedure. The family tree of a patient with bilateral chemodectomas was traced and 28 individuals were studied using radionuclide angiography (99mTechnetium gluconate), a quick, safe technique with a high yield. Bilateral chemodectomas were observed in five siblings, establishing conclusively the existence of a dominant hereditary trait. Excision of newly discovered tumours was accomplished without complication. The techniques which permitted such a favourable surgical outcome are discussed, emphasising the view that these tumours are best dealt with by vascular surgeons.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = behaviour (Clic here for more details about this article) |