title: Identification of Signet Ring Cell Change in Colonic Subserosa in the Setting of Clostridium difficile Colitis.
abstract: Signet ring cell change of intestinal epithelial cells is a rare but well-known mimicker of signet ring cell carcinoma and is often associated with ischemic and/or pseudomembranous colitis. Instead, signet ring cell change involving nonepithelial cells in the subserosa of the intestine is an extremely rare finding with only a single case report in the literature to date. We report a new case of benign signet ring cell change localized in the subserosa of the large bowel incidentally identified in a resection specimen for Clostridium difficile colitis mimicking a metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma. Based on the morphologic features and immunohistochemical profile, we propose that these signet ring cells may possibly represent modified/degenerated fat cells. Furthermore, we discuss how to differentiate benign signet ring cells from a signet ring cell carcinoma.
authors: 1 Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA.
authors: Omar
authors: O
authors: Khan
authors: 1 Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA.
authors: Saverio
authors: S
authors: Ligato
mesh_terms: D016360:Clostridioides difficile; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012704:Serous Membrane / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Clostridium difficile colitis; signet ring cell carcinoma; signet ring cell change