1/7. Bronchial mucoepidermoid tumour in a child presenting with organomegaly due to secondary amyloidosis: case report and review of the literature. Childhood bronchial mucoepidermoid tumours (BMET) are rare. A 12-year-old boy with hepatosplenomegaly underwent liver biopsy which diagnosed amyloidosis. Chest radiograph and CT, performed for recurrent respiratory symptoms, identified a left lower lobe tumour, which was subsequently excised. histology showed a BMET. A literature review reveals 51 reported cases of BMET in children. Common presenting symptoms include fever, cough and recurrent pneumonia. diagnosis is often delayed and patients with recurrent respiratory symptoms should undergo CT or bronchoscopy. The association between amyloidosis and BMET in this case is unique and has not been previously described, but may be coincidental. ( info) |
2/7. Minor salivary glands: causing major problems. Tumours arising in the parapharyngeal space (PPS) are rare and account for approximately 0.5% of all head and neck neoplasms. These neoplastic processes represent a wide variety of both benign (80%) and malignant lesions arising from the diverse range of structures within and surrounding the PPS. The PPS is typically conceptualized as a potential neck space in the shape of an inverted cone with its base at the skull base and apex at the greater cornu of the hyoid. Because of this unique structure, lesions must often grow to a considerable size before symptoms become apparent and clinical detection is possible. A rare case of mucoepidermoid tumour of the minor salivary glands arising in the prestyloid parapharyngeal space is described. The complex anatomical and pathological considerations within this region present a substantial challenge to the head and neck surgeon in the evaluation and management of these lesions. ( info) |
3/7. Glandular odontogenic cyst: analysis of cytokeratin expression and clinicopathological features. The glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare odontogenic cyst which is still controversial in regard to classification, terminology, and origin. The first Japanese case of GOC is reported. Immunohistochemical examination for expression of cytokeratins and epithelial membrane antigen by monoclonal antibodies suggested that the lining epithelium was of odontogenic origin with metaplastic mucus-laden cells. We have reviewed the literature and compared the clinicopathological findings of the reported case of GOC with those of botryoid odontogenic cysts (BOC). The anatomical location, age range, and sex of GOC cases were very similar to those of BOC. GOC appears to be a multiocular and mucoepidermoid variant of non-keratinizing odontogenic cysts, which also includes BOC. GOC should be separated from the other types of odontogenic cyst and central mucoepidermoid tumours of salivary gland origin. ( info) |
4/7. Unilateral hyperlucency with left lower lobe mass in a patient with bronchial asthma. Mucoepidermoid tumors are rare bronchial adenomas whose clinical presentation can mimic that of bronchial asthma. Bronchial adenoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a patient with a persistent radiographic abnormality and clinical features of bronchial asthma. We present an adolescent female with a history suggestive of bronchial asthma and a persistent left lower lobe atelectasis, who later was found to have a low-grade mucoepidermoid tumor. ( info) |
| mucoepidermoid tumor of the lung is a rare endobronchial neoplasm with a wide spectrum of appearance. We present a case report and describe the plain film and computed tomography (CT) findings. ( info) |
6/7. Nuclear pseudoinclusions in a case of parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a common malignant salivary gland tumor characterized by cellular and architectural heterogeneity. Nuclear pseudoinclusions have not been previously described in this salivary gland tumor. This is a description of the cytologic and histologic findings of a parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma with nuclear pseudoinclusions. ( info) |
7/7. Childhood bronchial mucoepidermoid tumors. A very rare case of a childhood bronchial mucoepidermoid tumor is presented. A 4-year-old girl was hospitalized with prolonged pneumonia. Computed tomography of the chest showed a tumor with calcifications in the right upper lobe. Subsequently, the patient underwent right upper lobectomy. Histologically, the tumor was a low-grade mucoepidermoid tumor originating from the bronchus. Three years postoperatively there has been no evidence of disease. A review of the literature indicates that 30 cases of bronchial mucoepidermoid tumors in children have been reported. Symptoms result from associated bronchial obstruction. Children with recurrent or prolonged pneumonia should undergo aggressive diagnostic investigation by chest tomography or bronchoscopy. Appropriate therapy for childhood bronchial mucoepidermoid tumor is total resection of the lesion while sacrificing as little of the normal lung tissue as possible. ( info) |