Objectives: Biobanking plays an important role in future research. Assessment and control of the preanalytical variables of biobanked tissues are fundamentals for the optimal use of biospecimens. Methods: Forty-five colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues stored at -80℃in Bio-Resource Bank were evaluated to define the influence of cold ischemia time (CIT) and storage period (SP) on DNA quality in biobanked tissues. Three CITs (less than 30 minutes (CIT-1), 30-45 minutes (CIT-2), and 45-60 minutes (CIT-3)) and three SPs (less than 1 year (SP-1), 2-3 years (SP-2), and 4-5 years (SP-3)) were chosen. NanoDrop spectrophotometer was used to determine the 260/280 ratio for DNA purity. DNA integrity was analyzed by a UV transilluminator following electrophoresis on 2% agarose gel. To evaluate the practical usability of DNA for biomarker research, KRAS mutation status was assessed by PCR amplification. Results: All DNA specimens had a 260/280 ratio ranging between 1.8 and 2.0 with the exception of one specimen (CIT- 2/SP-2 group). For DNA integrity, DNA appeared as a compact, high-molecular-weight band with no or scanty low-molecular- weight smears. The concordance of KRAS mutation status between paired biobanked frozen tissues and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues was 100%. DNA remained stable in CRC tissues kept at room temperature for up to 1 hour and long-term storage up to 5 years. Conclusions Storage conditions of our biobank are suitable for long-term (at least five years) specimen preservation with high DNA quality. These results have practical implications that could affect banking guidelines.

Fibrin-associated large B-cell lymphoma (FA-LBCL) is an extremely rare subtype of LBCL that consists of microscopic aggregates of atypical large B cells in the background of fibrin. Here, we report the first case of FA-LBCL in Korea. A 57-year-old male presented with a large amount of thrombus in the thoracic aorta during follow-up for graft replacement of the thoracoabdominal aorta 8 years prior. The removed thrombus, measuring 4.3 × 3.1 cm, histologically exhibited eosinophilic fibrinous material with several small clusters of atypical lymphoid cells at the periphery. The atypical cells were positive for CD20 by immunohistochemistry and for Epstein-Barr virus by in situ hybridization. The Ki-67 proliferation rate was 85%. The patient was still alive with no recurrence at the 7-year follow-up after thrombectomy. Although the diagnosis can be very difficult and challenging due to its paucicellular features, pathologists should be aware of FALBCL, which has likely been underestimated in routine evaluations of thrombi.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare. They are characterized by myofibroblastic spindle cell proliferation with a varying degree of inflammatory cell infiltration. IMT can occur in any anatomic location but has been reported in the lung, mesentery, and omentum, mainly in children or young adults. It rarely occurs in the pancreas and is often difficult to distinguish from other tumors, including some malignant ones. Therefore, it can be challenging to make a radiological diagnosis of IMT. Here, we present a case of IMT that occurred in the pancreas head of a middle-aged female. The patient’s ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings are presented along with a review of the literature.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare. They are characterized by myofibroblastic spindle cell proliferation with a varying degree of inflammatory cell infiltration. IMT can occur in any anatomic location but has been reported in the lung, mesentery, and omentum, mainly in children or young adults. It rarely occurs in the pancreas and is often difficult to distinguish from other tumors, including some malignant ones. Therefore, it can be challenging to make a radiological diagnosis of IMT. Here, we present a case of IMT that occurred in the pancreas head of a middle-aged female. The patient’s ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings are presented along with a review of the literature.

Lymphoma is a malignant tumor arising from the lymphoid tissue. Chronic inflammation can make lymphocyte accumulation and proliferation in the mucous membrane. Sustained accumulation of these persistent changes in the lymphoid tissues may be responsible for the development of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Although multiple cranial nerve palsy have been reported in various lymphoma, it has never been reported in MALT lymphoma. A 39-year-old man reported of facial palsy and subsequent vocal fold palsy. MALT lymphoma was diagnosed as involving the parotid gland, nasopharynx, and the skull base. Vocal palsy and facial palsy were successfully recovered after chemotherapy.

Hamartoma is a benign congenital tumor made of an abnormal mixture of normal tissues. It is a kind of developmental anomaly, in which the tissues are arranged with an excess growth of one or more of its components. Hamartoma is usually found in the lung, hypothalamus, and colon, but very rarely found in the head and neck areas. Symptoms are caused by the tumor tissue pressing against other tissues or organs. Surgical removal is the treatment modality of choice for hamartomas causing symptoms. The aplasia of unilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare congenital anomaly. ICA aplasia can cause structural change of the middle ear space. A 5 year-old female patient was presented with large hamartoma in the middle ear and the aplasia of the ipsilateral ICA. The mass was successfully removed without any complications. Authors report this case with a brief literature review.

Purpose: To investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of transplanted amniotic membrane in patients who underwent permanent amniotic membrane transplantation (P-AMT) on cornea. Methods: From April 2014 to March 2021, medical records and digital photographs of 68 patients (72 eyes) who underwent P-AMT were analyzed retrospectively. The duration of complete re-epithelization of cornea and wearing therapeutic contact lense (T-lens) after surgery were investigated, the size of preserved amniotic membrane (AM) excluding the melted portion was analyzed using the Image J program every year up to 6 years after surgery, and it was compared by dividing into a single-layer group and a double-layer group. In addition, when the AM melts, the cause, time, and related factors of melting were analyzed. Results: The average duration to complete re-epithelialization after surgery was 12.2 ± 11.0 days, and T-lens were worn on average up to 8.7 ± 8.5 months after surgery. In total group, the average ratio of preserved AM annually up to 6 years after surgery was 94.9%, 94.3%, 97.8%, 96.4%, 95.8%, 91.6% respectively, and there was no significant difference between the single-layer group and the double-layer group. AM melting appeared in 38.9% (28 eyes) of the total group, and melting was first observed on average 16.4 ± 17.2 months after surgery. The formation and rupture of bullae was the most common cause of melting at 71.4% (20 eyes), and there were no statistically significant related factors involved in the formation of bullae. Conclusions In the case of P-AMT performed in various diseases of the cornea, the transplanted AM is partially melt but considered to be well preserved up to 6 years after surgery to form a stable ocular surface.

Cervical adenocarcinomas constitute for approximately 10%–20% of all invasive cervical cancers. Villoglandular adenocarcinomas (VGAs) are a rare subtype of cervical adenocarcinoma, representing approximately 5% of all cases of cervical adenocarcinomas. Herein, we report the case of a 49-year-old perimenopausal woman successfully treated for VGA. The patient presented to the hospital with a primary complaint of vaginal discharge persisting for 7 months with worsening symptoms. She had no underlying medical conditions or history of oral contraceptive use. A punch biopsy revealed an adenocarcinoma, and a human papillomavirus (HPV) test indicated positive for HPV-16. The patient underwent a radical hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, and a pathological diagnosis of VGA was established. After surgery, the patient underwent a 6-week course of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin. During the 42 months of follow-up, no signs of disease recurrence or metastasis were observed. Because of the limitations of specimen acquisition, achieving a precise diagnosis through cervicovaginal cytology and punch biopsy is challenging. Instead, conization should be considered to prevent misdiagnosis.

Intussusception is a rare disease in adults. A demonstrable etiology is found in approximately 85% of all cases, and approximately 40% of them are caused by malignant tumors. A 65-year-old patient visited the outpatient department with mild abdominal pain without other symptoms. The initial laboratory test and simple X-ray showed normal findings. CT revealed intussusception in the ileocecal area. The initial colonoscopic biopsy revealed atypical cells. Follow up colonoscopy showed spontaneous reduction of the intussusception. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was suspected in the second colonoscopic biopsy. An elective operation was performed. This case reports a case of a spontaneous reduction of adult intussusception with a brief review of literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Colonoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoproliferative Small Intestinal Disease ; Intussusception ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Outpatients ; Rare Diseases

Intussusception is a rare disease in adults. A demonstrable etiology is found in approximately 85% of all cases, and approximately 40% of them are caused by malignant tumors. A 65-year-old patient visited the outpatient department with mild abdominal pain without other symptoms. The initial laboratory test and simple X-ray showed normal findings. CT revealed intussusception in the ileocecal area. The initial colonoscopic biopsy revealed atypical cells. Follow up colonoscopy showed spontaneous reduction of the intussusception. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was suspected in the second colonoscopic biopsy. An elective operation was performed. This case reports a case of a spontaneous reduction of adult intussusception with a brief review of literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Colonoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoproliferative Small Intestinal Disease ; Intussusception ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Outpatients ; Rare Diseases