Citations

Light chain deposition disease, characterized by nonamyloidogenic deposits of immunoglobulin light chains, is rare in the lung and possibly underdiagnosed due to low clinical suspicion and lack of readily accessible tests. We encountered a case of pulmonary light chain deposition disease (PLCDD) in which light chain deposits appeared crimson red with a Masson trichrome (MT) stain and salmon pink with a sulfated Alcian blue (SAB) stain. This prompted us to characterize a series of PLCDD cases and assess the utility of MT and SAB stains to distinguish them from amyloidosis. From the pathology archives of 2 institutions spanning 10 years, we identified 11 cases of PLCDD, including 7 diagnosed as such and 4 determined retrospectively. The deposits in all cases of PLCDD stained crimson red with MT and salmon pink with SAB, while the cases of pulmonary amyloid (n=10) stained blue-gray and blue-green, respectively. The immunoglobulin light chain nature of the deposits was confirmed in 10 of 11 cases by either immunofluorescence microscopy (n=5) or mass spectrometry (n=5). Transmission electron microscopy revealed osmiophilic, electron-dense deposits in all cases analyzed (n=3). An extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type was diagnosed in 10 cases and 1 represented a plasma cell neoplasm. Our study highlights the importance of considering PLCDD in the differential diagnosis of amyloid-like deposits in the lung and the value of performing MT and SAB stains to distinguish between PLCDD and amyloidosis.

Abstract Objectives To describe the histologic features that are helpful in the diagnosis of the rare bronchiolar adenomas/ciliated muconodular papillary tumors (BAs/CMPTs) during intraoperative consultation. Methods Multi-institutional retrospective review of frozen sections of 18 BAs/CMPTs. Results In 14 of 18 cases, BA/CMPT was the primary reason for sublobar lung resection, and in 4 cases, BA/CMPT was an incidental finding intraoperatively for resections performed for carcinoma in other lobes. There were 11 proximal-type/classic BAs/CMPTs and 7 distal-type/nonclassic BAs/CMPTs. Only 3 (16.7%) of 18 were correctly diagnosed at the time of frozen section, all of which were proximal type/classic. The remainder were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma (n = 7); invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (n = 1); non–small cell lung carcinoma (n = 1); cystic mucinous neoplasm, favor adenocarcinoma (either mucinous or colloid type) (n = 1); favor adenocarcinoma, cannot exclude CMPT (n = 1); atypical proliferation (n = 2); mucinous epithelial proliferation (n = 1); and mucous gland adenoma (n = 1). Conclusions BA/CMPT can potentially be misdiagnosed as carcinoma during intraoperative consultation. On retrospective review of the frozen sections, the presence of the following may help to avoid misdiagnosis: a mixture of bland ciliated columnar cells, mucinous cells, and, most important, a basal cell layer, as well as a lack of necrosis, significant atypia, and mitoses.

Context.— Vaping is the inhalation of heated aerosol from a small battery-powered device as a method to deliver nicotine or other substances. A recent outbreak of severe respiratory illness primarily in the United States has put a spotlight on vaping and its potential risks. Objective.— To familiarize pathologists with vaping, the cytologic and histopathologic features of vaping-associated acute lung injury, and the role of pathology in this diagnosis. Data Sources.— A targeted literature review was performed. Conclusions.— Most cases of vaping-associated lung injury have been linked to vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol or other cannabinoids. Lung biopsies show a spectrum of nonspecific acute lung injury patterns (organizing pneumonia, diffuse alveolar damage, acute fibrinous, and organizing pneumonia, or combinations of the above), accompanied by prominent, foamy macrophage accumulation. Injury is usually accentuated around small airways. Lipid-laden macrophages can be identified in bronchioloalveolar lavage fluid in most patients and these can be highlighted using lipid stains, such as oil red O, but the clinical utility of this finding remains unclear, as lipid-laden macrophages can be seen in a wide variety of processes and should not be relied upon to make the diagnosis. Classic histologic features of exogenous lipoid pneumonia have not been identified in tissue samples. Lightly pigmented macrophages, similar to those seen with traditional cigarette smoking, are present in some cases but are usually a minor feature. To date, no specific pathologic features for vaping-related injury have been identified, and it remains a diagnosis of exclusion that requires clinicopathologic correlation.

Greater than 2000 cases of vaping‐associated pulmonary injury and 39 deaths reported in the United States have heightened public awareness and assumed major public health significance over recent months. Currently, knowledge of the effects of various vaping agents on the respiratory tract is in its infancy. Additional understanding of the agents implicated in these lung injuries as well as a correlation between bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy samples is required.

Background Pancreatoblastoma (PBL) is a rare malignant pancreatic tumor seen predominantly in childhood, and its cytologic diagnosis remains challenging. Methods Twelve fine‐needle‐aspirations from 11 adults were analyzed. Results In total, 6 men and 5 women (median age, 45 years; age range, 32‐60 years) had tumors measuring a median 5.6 cm (range, 2.5‐12 cm) located in the pancreatic head (n = 7) or tail (n = 4), including 3 with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)/FAP‐related syndromes and 4 with metastasis at diagnosis. The median follow‐up was 39.8 months (range, 0.8‐348 months), and 5 patients died of disease. The original cytology diagnoses were: PBL (n = 2), neuroendocrine neoplasm (n = 2), poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (n = 2), well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (n = 1), poorly differentiated carcinoma (n = 2), “positive for malignancy” (n = 1), acinar cell carcinoma (n = 1), and epithelioid neoplasm with endocrine and acinar differentiation versus PBL (n = 1). Universal cytopathologic findings included hypercellularity; 3‐dimensional clusters; and single, monotonous, blast‐like cells that were from 1.5 to 2.0 times the size of red blood cells with high nuclear‐to‐cytoplasmic ratio, fine chromatin, small, distinct nucleoli, and a resemblance to well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma. Branching pseudopapillae (n = 7) and grooved nuclei (n = 3) raised the differential diagnosis of solid‐pseudopapillary neoplasm, but with more atypia. Uncommon features included pleomorphism (n = 4) and numerous mitoses (n = 1). Squamoid morules were seen on smears (n = 5) or cell blocks (n = 6) in 70% of patients and were characterized by epithelioid cells with elongated, streaming nuclei, fine chromatin, absent nucleoli, and positive nuclear β‐catenin (n = 6 of 8). The median Ki‐67 index was 21% (range, 2%‐70%), and neuroendocrine marker expression was common (100%), but acinar markers were variable (63%). Conclusions A combination of cytologic findings in PBL, including a predominant population of primitive blast‐like cells, subtle squamoid morules, frequent neuroendocrine and variable acinar phenotype, should facilitate accurate cytologic diagnosis and distinction from common mimics.

Background: Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is a rare benign entity without specific clinical or imaging presentation. Although cytological studies – either bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or fine-needle aspiration (FNA) – may be pursued in patients with ELP, a definitive diagnosis is frequently rendered only on histology. The aim of this study is to highlight the cytological features of ELP. Methods: A search of cytopathology (CP) and surgical pathology (SP) diagnoses of ELP was conducted. The corresponding clinical and imaging features were obtained, and the morphology, particularly the presence and size of the intracytoplasmic vacuoles and background, was assessed. Results: Nine cases of ELP were identified, including eight with corresponding CP and SP. A neoplasm was suspected in three based on imaging, but ELP was not in the differential clinically or radiographically in any. Among the cases, six patients had BALs and three FNAs. All of the samples showed multiple large vacuoles within macrophages with at least some equal to or larger than the size of the cell nucleus. Similar vacuoles were noted extracellularly on smears. Conclusions: ELP is typically described in case reports in the clinical or radiological literature. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the largest series of adult ELP in CP. When large vacuoles are present in macrophages in cytology specimens, at least a suspicion of ELP can be suggested to initiate appropriate therapy, identify/remove the inciting agent, and preclude a more invasive procedure.

Background:In the recent past, algorithms and recommendations to standardize the morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular classification of lung cancers on cytology specimens have been proposed, and several organizations have recommended cell blocks (CBs) as the preferred modality for molecular testing. Based on the literature, there are several different techniques available for CB preparation-suggesting that there is no standard. The aim of this study was to conduct a survey of CB preparation techniques utilized in various practice settings and analyze current issues, if any.Materials and Methods:A single E-mail with a link to an electronic survey was distributed to members of the American Society of Cytopathology and other pathologists. Questions pertaining to the participants’ practice setting and CBs-volume, method, quality and satisfaction-were included.Results:Of 95 respondents, 90/95 (94%) completed the survey and comprise the study group. Most participants practice in a community hospital/private practice (44%) or academic center (41%). On average, 14 CBs (range 0-50; median 10) are prepared by a laboratory daily. Over 10 methods are utilized: Plasma thrombin (33%), HistoGel (27%), Cellient automated cell block system (8%) and others (31%) respectively. Forty of 90 (44%) respondents are either unsatisfied or sometimes satisfied with their CB quality, with low-cellular yield being the leading cause of dissatisfaction. There was no statistical significance between the three most common CB preparation methods and satisfaction with quality.Discussion:Many are dissatisfied with their current method of CB preparation, and there is no consistent method to prepare CBs. In today's era of personalized medicine with an increasing array of molecular tests being applied to cytological specimens, there is a need for a standardized protocol for CB optimization to enhance cellularity.