Histochemical and ultrastructural study of an elastofibroma dorsi coexisting with a high grade spindle cell sarcoma.
Elastofibroma dorsi is a pseudotumoral fibroproliferative lesion characterized by polymorphic fiber-like deposits of elastinophilic material. Several theories have been reported explaining the pathogenesis of elastofibroma. Recent cytogenetic studies have demonstrated chromosomal instability in elastofibromas, not normally observed in non-neoplastic tissues. These chromosomal defects are commonly observed in aggressive fibromatosis too. Such clinical observations suggest a multistage pathogenetic mechanism for the onset of elastofibroma. This study, using histochemical, immunohistochemical staining techniques, and ultrastructural examination, describes the detection of an otherwise typical elastofibroma contextual to a high grade sarcoma. Hence, the coexistence of elastofibroma and high-grade sarcoma may suggest a causal link between the two pathological entities. The results obtained suggest that the coexistence of the two pathological entities is conceivably coincidental.
Alberghini
M
M
Anatomia Patologica, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, via di Barbiano 1/10 40136 Bologna, Italy. marco.alberghini@ior.it
Bacchini
P
P
Pignatti
G
G
Maltarello
M C
MC
Zanella
L
L
Maraldi
N M
NM
Bertoni
F
F
D005260:Female; D005350:Fibroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure*