Abstract and case study poster sessions will be conducted during the 2022 College of American Pathologists Annual Meeting (CAP22), which is scheduled for October 8–11 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans Hotel. The poster sessions will occur in the Exhibit Hall located in the Elite Hall. Specific dates and times for each poster session are listed below; “poster focus” times are dedicated poster-viewing periods. Also shown before each poster session are the subject areas that will be presented.

Noon–3:00 PM; Poster Focus, Noon–1:00 PM
Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology; Hematopathology; Head, Neck, and Oral Pathology
Incidence of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Patients Diagnosed With Gastric Adenocarcinoma at Westchester Medical Center

(Poster No. 1)

Elayna M. Shanker, BS1 ([email protected]); Gautam Vanga, MBBS2; Sravanthi Lavu, MBBS2; Lakshmisree A. Vemulakonda, MBBS2; Sabrina Kohanzad, BS1; Marcelo F. Cassini, MD, PhD.2 1Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla; Department of Pathology, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York.

Context: Gastric cancer, a leading cause of cancer mortality, is associated with pathogens including Helicobacter pylori and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The geographic distribution and incidence of EBV-associated gastric cancer was described by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). In their 2014 study, which classified major subtypes of gastric cancer, EBV was associated with 9% of total gastric cancers. In this study, we identified the incidence of EBV-positive cases in patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma at our hospital and compared the results with TCGA data.

Design: We collected retrospective data, using the Softpath System, from patients diagnosed with “gastric adenocarcinoma” between January 2010 and December 2019. Using immunohistochemical staining, we identified tumors infected by EBV and compared the results with TCGA data, using a Student t test.

Results: Our data revealed 114 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma with samples from upper endoscopic biopsy and gastric resections. Based on the necessary sample size, 43 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma were randomized for immunohistochemical staining for EBV. We found 9 EBV-positive (Figure 1.1) and 34 EBV-negative cases. The incidence of EBV positivity at our hospital was 21%, compared with 9% from the TCGA database (~2.4 times higher).

Conclusions: The incidence of EBV-positive gastric adenocarcinoma at our hospital is significantly higher when compared with the TCGA database. This may be due to environmental exposures, variation in local diet, or perhaps higher EBV incidence in this area. Additionally, small sample size or immunohistochemical staining (rather than genome sequencing) may explain this disparity. Further epidemiologic studies are needed to identify possible geographic differences accounting for this change in EBV positivity.

Stercoral Colitis and Perforation in a Setting of Chronic Heroin Abuse

(Poster No. 2)

Steven H. Adams, MD ([email protected]); Jela Bandovic, MD. Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York.

Stercoral colitis, from the Latin stercus (feces), refers to inflammation of a colon segment by fecal impaction. Severe impaction leads to distention, increased pressure, and resultant necrosis and perforation of the intestinal wall. The commonly reported site of ischemia and necrosis is the antimesenteric side of the sigmoid colon. Cases occur in the settings of chronic constipation in the elderly, psychiatric disorders, and pharmacologic treatment with anticholinergic, opioid, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Only a handful of stercoral colitis cases have been attributed to chronic heroin addiction. A 30-year-old man with a history of chronic constipation and polysubstance abuse (heroin, opioids, cocaine, and marijuana) was admitted for acute abdominal pain. CT showed perforation of the colon with pneumoperitoneum. Surgical exploration revealed feculent peritonitis, with a very large fecal impaction of the sigmoid—distended to 10 cm in diameter, with perforation of the sigmoid at the descending/sigmoid-colon junction. A colonic segment sent to pathology, 38 cm in length, revealed a 2.5 × 2-cm antimesenteric sigmoidal perforation (Figure 1.2, A). The opened specimen contained multiple fecalomas (compacted and hardened fecal matter) (Figure 1.2, B). Histologic sections showed markedly thickened muscularis propria (Figure 1.2, C) and acute fibrinopurulent serositis, with the colonic mucosa around the perforation site showing ischemic changes (Figure 1.2, D). Given the clinical history of chronic constipation and luminal impacted fecal material, the findings were compatible with stercoral colitis, complicated with perforation and peritonitis. The clinical history of heroin and opioid abuse was a likely contributing factor to the patient's constipation and fecal impaction.

How Diagnostic Is “Undiagnostic”: A Review of Benign and Nondiagnostic Fine-Needle Aspirates of Pancreatic Lesions

(Poster No. 3)

Danielle R. Petty, DO1 ([email protected]); Omer A. Hassan, MD2; Wencheng Li, MD.2 1Department of Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville; 2Department of Pathology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Context: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is used to diagnose pancreatic lesions. If initial results are “no malignancy” or “nondiagnostic” and clinical suspicion remains high, rebiopsy is performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the negative predictive value (NPV) of the diagnoses “no malignancy” and/or “nondiagnostic” for solid pancreatic lesions to provide data to aid in decision-making.

Design: One hundred ten pancreatic FNAs from 2015 to 2017 with diagnoses of “nondiagnostic” or “no malignancy” were identified. Patients without follow-up or those who died of unknown or unrelated causes were excluded, leaving 98 cases. Thirty-five had radiographically solid lesions.

Results: Fourteen FNA adequacy statements were “suboptimal” or “unsatisfactory,” and consequently all were categorized as “nondiagnostic.” Of these, 7 were eventually diagnosed with cancer, 86% (6) of which were neuroendocrine tumors. Twenty-one cases were “satisfactory,” although 7 were categorized as “nondiagnostic.” Six of the nondiagnostic cases were eventually diagnosed with cancer, 5 of which were ductal adenocarcinomas and 1 of which was neuroendocrine. Fourteen cases were diagnosed as “no malignancy”—71% representing true negatives. Four patients (29%) with this diagnosis were eventually diagnosed with cancer (3 ductal adenocarcinomas and 1 mucinous cystic neoplasm) (Figure 1.3).

Conclusions: “Satisfactory” cases with a diagnosis of “no malignancy” had an NPV of 71%. Between 57.1% (unsatisfactory samples) and 86% (satisfactory samples) of “nondiagnostic” biopsies were proven to be malignant. “Unsatisfactory” samples were disproportionately neuroendocrine tumors (86%), which suggests that neuroendocrine lesions may be more difficult to sample.

Accessory Spleen Presenting as Gastric Fundic Lesion

(Poster No. 4)

Fnu Raja, MD ([email protected]); Rania Rayes Danan, MD; Amer Khiyami, MD. Department of Pathology, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.

An accessory spleen (AS) is a small nodule of splenic tissue located separately from the main body of the spleen and is found in approximately 15% of the population. The physiologic function is similar to that of the normal spleen, and it is usually located in the splenic hilum and tail of the pancreas. We describe a rare case of AS that presented as a gastric fundic mass in a middle-aged woman with a history of breast cancer and hysterectomy for a benign condition. She presented with fatigue and was found to have iron-deficiency anemia. On further workup, endoscopy revealed a submucosal gastric fundic lesion with nonneoplastic overlying mucosa. Follow-up radial endoscopic ultrasonography for the lesion revealed a uniform, oval-like lesion measuring 2.0 × 1.5 cm. Full-thickness resection was performed, and tissue was sent for histology. Microscopically, a polypoid gastric mucosa was remarkable for active gastritis, ulceration, pit abscesses, and chronic lymphoplasmacytic inflammation (Figure 1.4, A and B). No dysplasia or intestinal metaplasia was seen. Submucosa was significant for AS tissue extending to the deep tissue (Figure 1.4, C and D). Helicobacter pylori immunohistochemistry was negative. Patients with gastric AS are usually asymptomatic; complications include rupture, hemorrhage, and torsion. ASs are usually discovered incidentally and can be mistaken for neoplastic growth. In a clinical case necessitating a therapeutic splenectomy, it is necessary to remove AS tissue as well to resolve symptoms. We must be aware of possible ASs in the stomach. Histology and immunohistochemistry stains can guide our diagnosis.

Association of Isolated Colitis With Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Usage

(Poster No. 5)

Ashbita Pokharel, MBBS ([email protected]); Wei Li, MD, PhD. Department of Anatomic Pathology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan.

Context: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been known to produce various clinical gastrointestinal side effects and histopathologic changes. It has been reported that NSAID usage is associated with isolated colitis in the periappendiceal orifice region. This study aimed to further evaluate the clinicopathologic features of 16 patients with isolated colitis limited to the cecum or periappendiceal orifice region.

Design: A retrospective review was performed on biopsy specimens from 16 patients with histologically proven colitis (focal active colitis with no chronicity) limited to the cecum or periappendiceal orifice. No significant pathologic changes in the terminal ileum or other parts of the colon were identified in cases studied. Patients with a history of colorectal tumor or inflammatory bowel diseases were excluded from the study. Relevant clinical history, follow-up studies, and endoscopic findings were evaluated.

Results: Erosion, ulceration, and erythema were the main endoscopic findings in the cases studied. Among 16 cases, 9 (56%) had a history of routine NSAID usage. Among these 8 patients, 7 demonstrated resolution of pathologic abnormality after cessation of the drugs following repeated colonoscopy. Seven patients (44%) had nonroutine NSAID usage. After follow-up examination, none of the patients had infectious disease of the gastrointestinal tract or inflammatory bowel disease.

Conclusions: Our results confirm previously reported findings of a strong association of isolated colitis in the cecum or periappendiceal orifice region with NSAIDs. Our data support the conclusion that pathologic changes of isolated colitis are reversible after the cessation of NSAIDs.

Segmental Cholangiectasia: A Diagnostic Pitfall for Radiologists

(Poster No. 6)

Recep Nigdelioglu, MD ([email protected]); Zong-Ming Eric Chen, MD, PhD. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

Segmental cholangiectasia is a rare disease that appears to result from recurrent attacks of obstructive cholangitis and shares similar histologic features with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, which is more common in Asian populations. The etiology is unclear. However, the role of Escherichia coli in promoting bile precipitation through its bacterial β-glucuronidase activity is widely accepted. Radiologically, segmental cholangiectasia can present as a mass or a biliary stricture, suggesting a cholangiocarcinoma or a cystic biliary neoplasm, which can be a big pitfall. We present a case of a 43-year-old man with abdominal pain and intermittent fevers during the past 2 years. MRI showed a gallbladder mass with accompanying left hepatic atrophy suggesting a cholangiocarcinoma. A liver resection and cholecystectomy were performed. The gross pathologic examination of the gallbladder showed hemorrhagic sludgy material with no mass lesion in the liver or gallbladder. Sections of the liver showed hilar parenchymal atrophy, bile duct dilation (Figure 1.6, A), prominent periductal fibrosis (Figure 1.6, B), active and chronic inflammation with plasma cells, and focal intraductal cholelithiasis (Figure 1.6, C). The gallbladder showed chronic inflammation and prominent reactive lymphoid follicles, consistent with follicular cholecystitis (Figure 1.6, D). There was no epithelial dysplasia or malignancy. The IgG4/IgG index in plasma cells was less than 5%. Overall, the presence of intraductal cholelithiasis, ductal ectasia, and parenchymal atrophy was most consistent with segmental cholangiectasia (recurrent pyogenic cholangitis) of the liver. In conclusion, segmental cholangiectasia can be a clinical pitfall and should be considered by pathologists in the appropriate clinical context.

Clinicopathologic Features of Benign Vascular Lesions of the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Single-Institution Experience

(Poster No. 7)

Cansu Karakas, MD ([email protected]); Aaron R. Huber, DO; Diana Agostini-Vulaj, DO. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.

Context: Various types of benign vascular lesions (BVLs) occur in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We sought to further evaluate and clinicopathologically characterize these entities.

Design: We searched our pathology archives from 2009 to 2021 for patients with BVLs. Clinicopathologic data were collected.

Results: There were 28 patients (46% women, 54% men) with a median age of 65 years (range, 35–81 years). Sites included the colon (n = 26), with the ascending colon being most common (n = 13); small bowel (n = 1); and stomach (n = 1). Patients presented for screening colonoscopy (n = 15), GI bleeding (n = 9), or nonspecific GI symptoms (n = 5). Endoscopically, polyps were most common (15 of 28, 54%), with size range 0.2–3.0 cm (median, 0.4 cm). Histologically, 18 (64%) were hemangiomas (Figure 1.7, A); 5 (18%) arteriovenous malformations (Figure 1.7, B); 2 (7%) portal colopathies; and 1 (3.5%) each hemangiolymphangioma, lymphangioma, and florid vascular proliferation. Fifteen (53%) involved mucosa, 5 (18%) submucosa, 6 (21%) both, and 2 (7%) were transmural. Erosion/ulceration was observed in 2 (7%). Concurrent lesions included 12 (43%) adenomas, 5 (18%) hyperplastic polyps, and 1 (3.5%) each leiomyoma, lipoma, and colon adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, 23 (82%) had additional comorbidities, with cardiovascular disease being most common (7, 25%). Only 2 had subsequent/recurrent BVLs (1 year and 6 months after initial diagnosis).

Conclusions: BVLs occur in elderly patients and are most commonly identified as small polyps on screening colonoscopy; however, a significant number may have GI bleeding. These entities can be further refined into a specific diagnosis with histologic examination, although this can be difficult with small biopsies. In our cohort, BVLs were most commonly reclassified as hemangiomas.

Lymphoglandular Complexes Are Likely Diagnostic Pitfalls for Risk-Stratifying Colonic Adenomatous Polyps

(Poster No. 8)

Cherry Pun, MD1 ([email protected]); Hala Faragalla, MD, MSc2; Jeffrey Mosko, MD, MSc3; Catherine Streutker, MD, MSc.2 1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 2Department of Laboratory Medicine and 3Division of Gastroenterology, Unity Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Context: Lymphoglandular complexes (LGCs) are present in the gastrointestinal tract where lymphoid aggregates reside beneath the overlying epithelium. They are known to cause defects in the muscularis mucosae and can traverse into the submucosa (SM). This can pose a diagnostic challenge when adenomatous polyps of the colon involve the LGC, mimicking SM invasion. Our study aimed to assess the frequency of these lesions and associated clinical outcomes.

Design: We searched our laboratory information system at St Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada, for polypectomies performed between 2000 and 2021 showing LGC involvement by adenomatous epithelium. Histopathologic characteristics and clinical outcomes were reviewed.

Results: Twelve polypectomies were identified, with a median patient age of 65 years (Table). Nine polyps were interpreted as focally invasive and 3 without invasion. All lesions showed involvement of LGCs. Features supporting pseudoinvasion included rounded architecture with continuous involvement of overlying epithelium, presence of lamina propria, and absence of desmoplasia or high-grade dysplasia. Invasive lesions were typically focal and only superficially invasive. Features supporting invasion included complex architecture, luminal necrosis, desmoplasia, and adjacent high-grade dysplasia. Patients with adenomas were placed on surveillance. Three of 9 patients with invasive polyps underwent resection and had pT1N0 disease. All patients were alive without disease at follow-up.

Clinical Characteristics of 12 Patients With Adenomas Involving Lymphoid Aggregates

Clinical Characteristics of 12 Patients With Adenomas Involving Lymphoid Aggregates
Clinical Characteristics of 12 Patients With Adenomas Involving Lymphoid Aggregates

Conclusions: Considering the good outcome in our invasive cases with follow-up, submucosal “invasion” via an LGC likely does not represent the same biology as true invasion into the SM. Pathologists and clinicians should be aware of this rare diagnostic pitfall and consider polypectomy as curative when no other high-risk features are identified.

Low-Grade Mucinous Carcinoma Peritonei Metastatic to an Axillary Lymph Node

(Poster No. 9)

Karina M. Bach, MD ([email protected]); Amila Orucevic, MD, PhD; Lisa D. Duncan, MD. Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville.

Mucinous carcinoma peritonei, also termed pseudomyxoma peritonei, is the peritoneal spread of a ruptured mucinous neoplasm, most often of appendiceal origin. Filling of the abdominal cavity can cause secondary complications such as gelatinous ascites as well as adhesions and compression, leading to malfunction of any abdominal organ. Current treatment guidelines include cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). We present a case of a 53-year-old man with low-grade mucinous carcinoma peritonei diagnosed in July 2020. He underwent cytoreductive surgery but was not able to receive HIPEC or continue adjuvant chemotherapy owing to various medical issues and complications. The initial surgery revealed extensive tumor involvement of multiple organs, including the colon, liver, and spleen. Three of 12 nodes were positive at that time. In October 2021, surveillance imaging showed a right axillary mass and multiple abdominal masses. Palliative cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC were performed with an uncomplicated postoperative course. However, axillary dissection was subsequently done owing to consistent enlargement of an axillary node. Of 8 lymph nodes in level 1, one was positive for low-grade mucinous carcinoma, measuring up to 4 cm with extranodal extension. This is the first reported case of primary appendiceal mucinous carcinoma with metastasis to the axilla. This atypical presentation of a mucinous carcinoma with lack of high-grade component associated with aggressive spread may provide insight to further characterize the paradoxical behavior of this rare tumor.

Intraductal Tubulopapillary Neoplasms of Pancreas With Potentially Targetable Fusions: Report of a New Partner of FGFR2 and Novel STARD3NL::BRAF Fusion

(Poster No. 10)

Irena Manukyan, MD, PhD1 ([email protected]); Susan Hsiao, MD, PhD1; Ladan Fazlollahi, MD, MPH2; Helen Remotti, MD2; Mahesh M. Mansukhani, MD.1 Departments of 1Personalized Genomic Medicine and 2Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York.

Context: Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm (ITPN) is rare and genetically distinct from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and ductal adenocarcinoma. We present cytohistologic correlation with molecular characterization of ITPNs diagnosed at our institution.

Design: A review of the Columbia University Anatomic Pathology database from 2016 through 2021 identified 3 patients diagnosed with ITPN. Tumor DNA was subjected to targeted sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq platform, with a hybrid-capture targeting 467 genes, including introns of 72 genes (“CCCP”). Targeted cDNA sequencing with a 16-gene custom anchored multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel was used for fusion transcript detection.

Results:KRAS G12V and TP53 variants were detected in the first case, with multifocal invasive carcinoma in both ITPN and the invasive component, indicating the same cellular origin. FGFR2::INA fusion was found in the second case, where fine-needle aspiration (Figure 1.10, A) showed cytologically bland neoplastic cells with elongated nuclei and scant cytoplasm with no intracytoplasmic mucin. On pancreatectomy (Figure 1.10, B), the neoplasm was occupying the main pancreatic duct. Histologic diagnosis was confirmed as ITPN with no invasion (Figure 1.10, C). STARD3NL::BRAF fusion was detected in a third case with a microscopic focus of invasion.

Conclusions: Differentiation of ITPN from other pancreatic neoplasms is crucial given the known favorable prognosis and high frequency—and diversity—of potentially targetable fusions in ITPN. If invasion occurs, characterization of the specific fusion can direct enrollment in basket trials or off-label use of therapy approved for other histologic tumor types (eg, MEK or FGFR2 inhibitors) in the above cases should they have recurred or metastasized.

Incidental Acinar Cystic Transformation of the Pancreas in a Patient With High-Grade Ovarian Serous Carcinoma

(Poster No. 11)

Recep Nigdelioglu, MD ([email protected]); Clarissa E. Jordan, MD; Benjamin J. Van Treeck, MD; Saba Yasir, MBBS. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

Acinar cystic transformation of the pancreas is a rare, newly recognized nonneoplastic lesion. This cystic transformation is characterized by unilocular or multilocular cysts lined by benign-appearing acinar and ductal epithelium. The etiology is unknown, and, unlike cystic precursors of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, alterations in KRAS, GNAS, or TP53 have not been reported. We report an incidental acinar cystic transformation of the pancreas in a patient with high-grade ovarian serous carcinoma. The patient was a 46-year-old woman with a history of papillary thyroid carcinoma status post thyroidectomy and bilateral ovarian masses on neoadjuvant chemotherapy whose CT showed a small cystic lesion in the pancreatic tail. The radiologic impression was a pancreatic cyst or metastatic disease. She underwent extensive surgery, including total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingooophorectomy, tumor debulking, and distal pancreatectomy. Bilateral ovaries, fallopian tubes, and omental nodules showed high-grade serous carcinoma with minimal therapeutic response (Figure 1.11, A). Gross examination of the pancreas showed 2 cysts ranging from 1.1 to 1.3 cm (Figure 1.11, B). Histologic sections showed these cystic lesions were lined by 1–2 cell layers of epithelium (Figure 1.11, C), with acinar differentiation supported by trypsin stain (Figure 1.11, D), and an underlying hyalinized wall that was negative for ER. The patient was referred to genetic counseling. In conclusion, acinar cystic transformation of the pancreas is a nonneoplastic lesion, and its distinction from neoplastic mimickers, such as pancreatic intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm or an intraductal spread of acinar cell carcinoma, might be critical for pathologists.

Multiple Hepatocellular Adenomas in an Adult Female Childhood Cancer Survivor: A Clinical Association to Remember

(Poster No. 12)

Saba Shafi, MD1 ([email protected]); Denise Gamble, DO1; Martha Yearsley, MD1; Jordan Cloyd, MD2; Michael Wellner, MD3; Wei Chen, MD, PhD.1 Departments of 1Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 2Surgical Oncology, and 3Hepatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus.

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for certain acquired conditions after treatment, but without known causative germline alterations. Therapy-associated hepatic hemochromatosis and colonic polyposis are well known; however, hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are not well documented beside a series of 12 cases (PMID: 27781382). We report an additional such case to increase awareness of HCAs in the setting of childhood cancer survivors. A 34-year-old woman presented with multiple liver masses on imaging noted during workup for cardiac valve regurgitation. Her history revealed childhood acute myeloid leukemia at 6 months and again at 2.5 years, with total body radiation, chemotherapy, and bone marrow transplant. She had been on hormone replacement therapy for 10+ years up to the detection of liver masses. Biopsy of a right liver mass revealed a well-differentiated hepatocellular lesion consistent with HCA. A subsequent liver resection was performed. Resection showed multiple HCAs, ranging from 2.3 to 8.5 cm. Immunostains (Figure 1.12, A through D) demonstrated the tumor to be focally positive for glutamine synthetase, serum amyloid A, and CRP, while negative for glypican 3. A β-catenin stain was negative for nuclear staining. Liver fatty acid–binding protein showed normal staining. Reticulin stains showed patchy mild disruption of reticulin fibers only. Here we present a rare case of multiple HCAs NOS in a woman with a history of childhood acute myeloid leukemia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the 13th such case reported in the English literature and highlights the predilection for development of HCAs after prolonged hormone replacement therapy in these hypogonadal patients post childhood cancer therapy.

Comparative Analysis of Microsatellite Instability Testing in Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Specimens by Mismatch Repair Protein Immunohistochemistry and a New, Rapid, Highly Automated Polymerase Chain Reaction Platform

(Poster No. 13)

Priscilla Quach, DO ([email protected]); Ameer Hamza, MD. Department of Pathology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.

Context: Recent studies have demonstrated a promising response to checkpoint inhibition in microsatellite-instability (MSI) cancers. Therefore, the utility of different techniques, including immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based MSI analysis, and even next-generation sequencing–based detection of MMR-D, has increased considerably. We analyzed a relatively new, highly automated, and rapid PCR-based platform in comparison with MMR testing by IHC.

Design: MMR-IHC and MSI-PCR were ordered concurrently. Data including patient age and sex, tumor location, type of specimen (biopsy versus resection), MMR-IHC and MSI-PCR results, turnaround time, and processing cost were collected.

Results: Data were collected for 44 patients. Mean patient age was 70.1 years ± 12.1. Twenty patients were female, 24 were male. MMR-IHC was intact in 39 (88.6%), and 5 (11.4%) had MMR-IHC loss. Of the 5 cases with loss of MMR protein expression, 4 were MSI and 1 was microsatellite stable by PCR. Figure 1.13 demonstrates results segregated by different sites. Mean turnaround times for IHC and PCR reporting were 1.05 and 1.63 days, respectively. The processing cost for the MMR-IHC panel was $160, and the cost for MSI-PCR was $240.

Conclusions: Establishing the MSI status in cancer is more critical than ever. Newer PCR-based highly automated technology provides an alternative method of MSI detection that has high concordance with more conventional IHC testing, especially in the tubular gastrointestinal tract, and has a rapid turnaround time with minimal tech and pathologist time. However, the operating cost is higher, and the specific gene mutation is not identified, unlike with MMR testing by IHC.

Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma as the Initial Presentation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

(Poster No. 14)

Saman S. Karimi, MD, MS ([email protected]); Maria F. Gonzalez, MD. Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a well-established risk factor for the development of certain types of malignancies. The incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma is 30 times higher in HIV patients than in the general population and is currently on the rise. We report a case of a 61-year-old man with a chief complaint of several months of lower left abdominal pain, worsening rectal pain, constipation, and anemia who presented to the emergency department with a 1-month history of hematochezia. Digital rectal examination revealed a noncircumferential, firm, nodular, and indurated anal mass with fistula formation, located at the posterior rectal wall. MRI of the pelvis demonstrated an annular stenosing anal mass measuring 7.5 × 3.5 × 2.5 cm and a left posterior-lateral anal fistula with perianal abscess. Flexible sigmoidoscopy was performed, revealing a large, fungating, ulcerated anal mass with extension to the proximal rectum with fistula formation that was biopsied and sent to pathology for histopathologic evaluation. Microscopic examination revealed an invasive, well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma arising from a background of condyloma acuminatum with high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (Figure 1.14, A and B). The clinicians were alerted, with recommendation to test for underlying immunodeficiency. Fifth-generation HIV antigen-antibody results were reactive, and confirmatory testing demonstrated HIV-1 infection, with an absolute CD4 count of 301 cells/μL. High-risk HPV infection, a known risk factor for the development of anal squamous cell carcinoma, is detected in 30%–90% of HIV patients. Therefore, HIV infection status is an important consideration in patients presenting with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus.

Schwann Cell Hamartomatous Proliferation of Gallbladder: More Ubiquitous Than Originally Perceived

(Poster No. 15)

Claudia Rojas, MD ([email protected]); Alicia Hirzel, MD. Department of Pathology, Memorial Health System/Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Miramar, Florida.

Benign nerve sheath tumors are commonly seen as superficial cutaneous or soft tissue compartment lesions. They are relatively uncommon in the gastrointestinal tract and present as polypoid masses, histologically typified as schwannomas, ganglioneuromas, and perineuriomas. Mucosal Schwann cell hamartoma is a benign neural lesion characterized by pure Schwann cell proliferation with no known syndromic association. Immunohistochemistry may be necessary to differentiate Schwann cell hamartoma of the gallbladder from other mimics. We present 2 cases of Schwann cell hamartomas of the gallbladder. Patient 1 was a 16-year-old adolescent boy with a history of abdominal pain lasting 3 months, exacerbated by fatty foods. Ultrasonography revealed sludge and gallstones with a slight thickening of the gallbladder and no evidence of choledocholithiasis. Sections showed subacute and chronic cholecystitis with cholelithiasis. Areas of bland spindle cells in the lamina propria were noted. The spindle cells (Figure 1.15, A) were diffusely positive for SOX10 and S100 (Figure 1.15, B). Patient 2 was a 29-year-old woman with colicky right upper quadrant pain radiating to the back and right shoulder. She underwent cholecystectomy. Sections showed chronic cholecystitis, cholesterolosis, and wavy lamina propria spindle cells (Figure 1.15, C) positive for S100 (Figure 1.15, D) and SOX10 and negative for EMA, neurofilament, and CD34. No mitoses or atypia were observed. The histomorphology and immunoprofile in both cases were reminiscent of mucosal Schwann cell hamartoma described in the colorectal mucosa, consistent with Schwann cell hamartoma–like lesion. Schwann cell hamartoma–like lesions of the gallbladder have been recently seen in up to 4% of examined cases. More studies are needed to establish the significance of this lesion.

Granulomatous Lymphangitis as a First Manifestation of Crohn Disease in a Pediatric Patient

(Poster No. 16)

Claudia Rojas, MD ([email protected]); Alicia Hirzel, MD. Department of Pathology, Memorial Health System/Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Miramar, Florida.

Crohn disease is an inflammatory bowel disease with an array of extraintestinal involvement. Genital edema in children is a rare entity that is usually idiopathic and self-limiting. We report a case of a 9-year-old boy with a history of multiple allergies but no history of gastrointestinal complaints. The patient had recently returned from India when he began to experience intermittent penile skin swelling. He was treated with antibiotics, antihistamines, and steroids, with temporary resolution of the symptoms. Owing to the recent travel history, filariasis was the presumptive diagnosis. He underwent circumcision, and the foreskin showed considerable dermal edema with perilymphatic and intralymphatic necrotizing and nonnecrotizing granulomas (Figure 1.16, A and B). GMS, AFB, and FITE stains were negative, and PCR microbiology was also negative. An immunohistochemical stain for CD31 (Figure 1.16, C) highlighted the endothelium, and CD68 immunostain (Figure 1.16, D) was positive for CD6. No parasites were identified. The possibility of Crohn disease was raised, and molecular testing with Prometheus IBD sgi Diagnostic was performed and showed a pattern consistent with inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn disease type. Granulomatous lymphangitis is a rare condition that presents with genital edema and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic idiopathic genital edema, particularly in younger individuals. This condition can predate Crohn disease by many years. Further clinical workup, including additional laboratory studies and close follow-up for coexisting or subsequent development of Crohn disease, is vital for early diagnosis in these patients.

Myeloid Sarcoma: Rare and Often Misdiagnosed

(Poster No. 17)

Claudia Rojas, MD ([email protected]); Alicia Hirzel, MD. Department of Pathology, Memorial Health System/Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Miramar, Florida.

Myeloid sarcoma is a pathologic diagnosis for an extramedullary proliferation of blasts of 1 or more of the myeloid lineages that disrupts the normal architecture of the tissue in which it is found. It is a rare condition, most often associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), although in some rare cases it may present in nonleukemic patients. It should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of any atypical cellular infiltrate. It may occur at any site, leading to varied clinical presentations. We present a case of myeloid sarcoma with diffuse involvement of the gastrointestinal tract. The patient was an 88-year-old woman with a history of myelodysplasia who presented with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Colonoscopy revealed mild erythema along different sections of the colon, including the ascending and sigmoid colon, suggestive of mild colitis. No other findings were noted. Histologic sections showed fragments of colonic mucosa with an abnormal lamina propria infiltrate, focally permeating between the layers of the intestinal wall, forming sheets (Figure 1.17, A). The neoplastic cells were positive for CD117 (Figure 1.17, B), CD34, and muramidase (lysozyme) and negative for cyclin D1, CD138, CD56, CD20, CD5, κ, λ, tryptase, CD68, CD3, CD34, and myeloperoxidase. The Ki-67 proliferative index was approximately 30%. Follow-up with bone marrow and flow cytometry revealed AML with myelodysplasia-related changes. Diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma is challenging and relies on a high index of suspicion as well as radiologic, histologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular analyses, which are also essential for risk stratification and treatment planning.

An Unusual Rectal Smooth Muscle Tumor Arising From the Muscularis Mucosa

(Poster No. 18)

Megan Gage, DO ([email protected]); David R. Martin, MD; Joshua A. Hanson, MD. Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.

Malignant smooth muscle tumors (SMTs) rarely arise in the rectal muscularis propria (MP), but primary rectal muscularis mucosa (MM) leiomyosarcoma has not been documented. A comprehensive study suggests that there is malignant potential in intramural colorectal SMTs with ≥3 mitoses/5 mm2. A second study including 88 colorectal MM SMTs failed to identify any malignant tumors, despite rare lesions showing cytologic atypia but minimal mitoses. We present a case of an atypical rectal MM SMT (0.5 cm; Figure 1.18, A) identified as a polyp on screening colonoscopy in a 70-year-old woman. It was desmin positive (Figure 1.18, B) and demonstrated significant cytologic atypia (Figure 1.18, C), with a mitotic count of 7/5 mm2 (including an atypical mitosis; Figure 1.18, D), meeting criteria for malignancy as defined for MP SMTs. The case was sent to several experts, whose opinions varied from “leiomyosarcoma” to “atypical SMT.” This is the first documented case of a rectal MM SMT meeting malignant criteria for MP tumors. The patient is free from recurrence/metastatic disease 9 months post polypectomy. Given the cytologic atypia and numerous mitoses, we believe a diagnosis of benign leiomyoma is inadequate. However, because malignancy is not yet reported in MM SMTs, a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma is also inappropriate. Accordingly, we propose the classification of atypical SMT of uncertain malignant potential for lesions arising from MM that show concerning morphologic features. Complete endoscopic resection with periodic close follow-up is recommended until more is known about the behavior of these uncommon MM SMTs.

Colitis as a Form of Presentation of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: A Case Report and a Diagnostic Challenge

(Poster No. 19)

Ahmad M. Alkashash, MD ([email protected]); Jingmei Lin, MD, PhD. Department of Pathology, Indiana University, Indianapolis.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), formerly known as Churg-Strauss syndrome, is a disease of systemic vasculitis. Presentation as vasculitis in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is rare. We present a case of EGPA with colonic involvement as the initial presentation. A 61-year-old man developed profuse watery diarrhea shortly after cholecystectomy in an outside hospital that was thought to be due to Clostridioides difficile colitis. He received multiple courses of medications, but these failed. Upon his being admitted to our institution, results of repeated GI PCR panel, stool culture, and C difficile algorithm all were negative. Colonoscopy showed patchy erythematous and decreased vascular mucosa (Figure 1.19, A). Biopsy showed eosinophilic necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis (Figure 1.19, B through D). Leukocytosis was detected with 47% of eosinophils. Bone marrow examination excluded a malignant process. A full ova/parasites panel was all negative. Transthoracic echocardiography showed depressed ejection fraction (35%). Cardiac MRI demonstrated patchy mid-epicardial enhancement, mild active inflammation, and scar. p-ANCAs were negative, but both myeloperoxidase (25) and proteinase 3 (186) were positive. After an extensive workup, the patient was found to meet the criteria for EGPA. He started therapy with cyclophosphamide, as recommended by the American College of Rheumatology 2021 Guidelines. The diagnosis of EGPA in the GI tract requires high clinical suspicion because symptoms can vary from nonspecific to a severe surgical abdomen. p-ANCAs are positive in 50%–65% of EGPA patients and thus were not surprising to be negative in our patient. Awareness of GI involvement by EGPA is important to prompt proper diagnosis and management.

CD68, CK7, and HepPar1 Expression in Oncocytic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors and Intraductal Oncocytic Papillary Neoplasms

(Poster No. 20)

David McKenzie, MD ([email protected]); Cynthia Guy, MD; Chanjuan Shi, MD, PhD. Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.

Context: The DNAJB1-PRKACA oncofusion gene reported in most fibrolamellar carcinomas (FCs) has also been shown to be present in some oncocytic pancreaticobiliary neoplasms, including intraductal oncocytic papillary neoplasms (IOPNs) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) with mixed oncocytic features (IPMN-MOFs). Given that FC is immunoreactive with CD68, CK7, and HepPar1, we sought to investigate this immunoprofile in oncocytic pancreatic lesions.

Design: Since 2008, a total of 10 cases of IOPN (n = 3) and IPMN-MOF (n = 7) have been identified. Six oncocytic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) were also included. Cases were stained with CD68, CK7, and HepPar1. The staining pattern was characterized as focal, patchy, or diffuse, and intensity was characterized as weak, moderate, or strong.

Results: Of the total cases (n = 16), diffuse immunoreactivity for CD68 was seen in only 1, with focal or patchy staining in 8 and the remaining negative (Table). Most cases of IOPN and IPMN-MOF showed at least focal CD68 positivity (7 of 10). Notably, the positivity was more common in the duct-lining cells than in solid portions. Immunostaining for CK7 was strongly positive in 2 of 3 IOPN and 6 of 7 IPMN-MOF cases. HepPar1 was strong and diffusely positive in 3 of 3 IOPN and 3 of 7 IPMN-MOF cases. Some oncocytic PanNETs were positive for these markers, but less frequently.

Immunohistochemistry Results for Oncocytic PanNET, IOPN, and IPMN-MOF

Immunohistochemistry Results for Oncocytic PanNET, IOPN, and IPMN-MOF
Immunohistochemistry Results for Oncocytic PanNET, IOPN, and IPMN-MOF

Conclusions: Most IOPNs/IPMN-MOFs strongly express CK7 and HepPar1, and CD68 immunostaining is typically negative or weak and focal. CD68 is, therefore, more specific for FC. In addition, presence of HepPar1 expression in most oncocytic pancreatic lesions is indicative of its nonspecificity, which further supports the utilization of multiple hepatocellular carcinoma markers.

Different MUC1, MUC2, and CDX2 Expression in Mucinous, Micropapillary, and Diffuse Foci of Ampulla of Vater Carcinoma

(Poster No. 21)

HaiJuan Gao, MD ([email protected]); Cary Johnson, MD; Robert Edwards, MD; Vishal Chandan, MD; Xiaodong Li, MD. Department of Pathology, University of California Irvine, Orange.

Context: Ampulla of Vater carcinoma (AVC) is a well-known tumor with a heterogeneous immunoprofile that is different from similar histologic subtypes of colonic or pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Design: A total of 105 AVC cases of Whipple resections from 2001 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The cases with presurgical therapy were excluded to avoid chemotherapeutic-associated morphologic changes. One representative section of tumor with specific variant component was chosen for immunohistochemistry using a panel of antibodies: MUC1, MUC2, and CDX2.

Results: Six of 105 cases (5.7%) were mucinous adenocarcinoma (with >50% stromal mucin deposition). Three cases (2.9%) had less than 50% mucin. All mucinous areas were positive for MUC2 and CDX2; 6 also showed positivity for MUC1. The adjacent nonmucinous areas were negative for MUC2 in 5 of 6 cases and showed variable stains for MUC1 and CDX2. Six cases (5.7%) had foci of micropapillary pattern (10%–80%), all of them positive for MUC1, only 1 positive for CDX2, and none positive for MUC2. The adjacent nonmicropapillary area showed a similar immunoprofile. Twelve cases (11.4%) showed a diffuse pattern characterized by solid or infiltrating single cells; these foci were positive for MUC1 (12 of 12) and CDX2 (10 of 12), with only 1 case positive for MUC2. The adjacent nondiffuse areas showed a similar immunoprofile except in 1 case.

Conclusions: Mucinous component is different from micropapillary and diffuse patterns in AVC: they show a different immunoprofile to adjacent tumor. In addition, these mucinous foci are positive for MUC2, which is usually negative in adjacent nonmucinous area.

Leiomyosarcoma of the Colon: An Aggressive Tumor With Pitfalls in Diagnosis

(Poster No. 22)

Mary C. Bailey, MD ([email protected]); Peyman Dinarvand, MD. Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm with cells that demonstrate smooth muscle differentiation. While it can occur in almost any part of the body, it is most commonly found in the abdomen, retroperitoneum, and uterus. However, LMS is rarely found in the gastrointestinal tract. We present the case of a middle-aged man with a history of diverticulitis complicated by perforation who subsequently underwent surgery. An incidental 8.3-cm mass was found in the sigmoid colon. Microscopic examination of this mass demonstrated a high-grade spindle cell neoplasm with perpendicularly oriented fascicles of spindle cells and brightly eosinophilic cytoplasm (Figure 1.22, A). There was abundant cellular atypia, frequent mitoses, and necrosis. The tumor cells stained positively for caldesmon, desmin (Figure 1.22, B), SMA (Figure 1.22, C), and CAM 5.2 (Figure 1.22, D). They were negative for CD117, DOG1, HMB-45, S100, β-catenin, STAT6, ALK1, and pankeratin. MDM2 FISH was performed to rule out dedifferentiated liposarcoma and showed no amplification. Positivity for CAM 5.2 is a pitfall in the diagnosis of LMS that can mislead the pathologist into considering an epithelial malignancy. This case report aims to discuss the features of LMS appearing in this rare location, the main differential diagnoses, and this tumor's immunostaining profile to help guide the pathologist to the correct diagnosis. A comprehensive panel of appropriate immunostains paired with thorough familiarity of pitfalls, such as CAM 5.2 positivity, is important in reaching the correct diagnosis for patients with this rare entity.

Pleomorphic Liposarcoma of Small Bowel

(Poster No. 23)

Anup Jnawali, MD ([email protected]); Mohammad Al-Attar, MD; Michelle Yang, MD. Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester.

Pleomorphic liposarcoma (PLS) is a rare subtype of liposarcoma accounting for <5% of all liposarcomas of soft tissue. PLS arising in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) is rare, with only a handful of cases reported in the English-language literature. We report a case of a 71-year-old woman with a history of rectal adenocarcinoma, presenting with small-bowel obstruction and found to have a mass in the jejunum. The patient underwent small-bowel resection. Gross examination revealed a 7.8 × 6.9 × 2.2-cm exophytic, soft, tan mass (Figure 1.23, A) with a hemorrhagic and necrotic cut surface. Microscopic evaluation revealed heterogeneous epithelioid malignant cells (Figure 1.23, B), some with intracytoplasmic clear/fatty droplets and rarely scalloping the nucleus, suggestive of lipoblasts (Figure 1.23, C), and others with numerous intracytoplasmic eosinophilic globules highlighted by PAS/diastase stain. Scattered multinucleated giant cells were also present. The mitotic count was high (~80/10 high-power fields), including bizarre mitotic figures, and the Ki-67 proliferation index was approximately 60%. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that the malignant cells were negative for CD117, DOG1, SMA, desmin, MyoD1, ERG1, CD34, CD31, pancytokeratin AE1/3, CK-OSCAR, EMA, CAM 5.2, SOX10, melan-A, and S100. INI1 was retained. β-Catenin showed membranous staining. P53 showed mutant phenotype (Figure 1.23, D). Fluorescence in situ hybridization was negative for MDM2 amplification and DDIT3 rearrangement. The morphologic and immunohistochemical features favored a diagnosis of PLS. Pleomorphic liposarcomas are aggressive sarcomas exhibiting local recurrence and a metastatic rate of 30%–50%; thus, recognition of this rare entity in the GI tract is important for treatment.

Rectosigmoid Colon Yolk Sac Tumor in the Absence of Testicular Involvement: A Potentially Novel Primary Site

(Poster No. 24)

Matthew G. Charles, BA ([email protected]); Ian A. Taylor-Cho, BA; Avani Pendse, MBBS, PhD. Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.

Yolk sac tumor (YST) is an aggressive gonadal germ cell tumor sometimes occurring in extragonadal sites, including the mediastinum and retroperitoneum. To our knowledge, pure primary colonic YST has not been reported in the English-language literature. We present a case of rectosigmoid colon YST with liver metastases without a demonstrable testicular primary. A 53-year-old man presented with abdominal pain and a rectosigmoid colon mass on imaging with likely liver metastases. Endoscopic biopsy revealed an adenocarcinoma with CDX2 positivity (without definite in situ lesion), yet the resection specimen did not show typical colorectal adenocarcinoma morphology. H&E-stained sections showed tumor with solid areas, anastomosing glands, and perivascular glomeruloid structures (Figure 1.24, A and B). Immunohistochemistry showed tumor cells positive for SALL4, glypican-3, CDX2 (Figure 1.24, C), and AFP (Figure 1.24, D). This was concordant with an AFP level of 14 000 ng/mL, confirming the diagnosis of YST. The patient had no testicular symptoms, and subsequent imaging was negative for testicular, mediastinal, and retroperitoneal pathology. Our case may represent an as-yet-unreported primary colonic YST. Other equally rare considerations are colonic metastasis from an occult (testicular) primary or mixed tumor with an unsampled colonic adenocarcinoma component. CDX2 staining, routinely used to confirm intestinal differentiation/origin, is reported to be positive in YST. CDX2 positivity in the initial small biopsy specimen could have led to a diagnosis of colonic adenocarcinoma. Thus, our case highlights the importance of clinical and laboratory correlation (elevated AFP) with specific morphologic clues (absence of in situ lesion) to reach an accurate diagnosis when the morphology is not “classic” and/or specimen size is limited.

ABCB4 Mutation and MDR3 Deficiency: A Diagnostic Consideration for Cholestatic Liver Diseases in Adults

(Poster No. 25)

Yipeng A. Geng, MD, PhD ([email protected]); Irene Riahi, MD; Bita Naini, MD. Department of Pathology, University of California, Los Angeles.

MDR3 deficiency is a rare cholestatic liver disorder caused by mutations in the ABCB4 gene. It includes several entities with a wide spectrum of clinical presentation. While usually considered in neonatal cholestasis, MDR3 deficiency is often an overlooked diagnosis in adults. We present the case of a 29-year-old woman with a history of intermittently elevated ALT, AST, and ALP since her first pregnancy in 2010. She reported no history of medication/supplement use. Viral serologies were negative. She underwent a liver biopsy at an outside hospital and was given a presumed diagnosis of an autoimmune hepatitis/primary biliary cholangitis (AIH/PBC) overlap syndrome, despite negative autoimmune serologic studies. She was treated with steroids without improvement and was referred to our institution. Review of histology demonstrated bile duct injury and focal bile duct loss. There was mild to moderate lymphoplasmacytic portal inflammation with mild interface activity, but no significant hepatitis to suggest AIH. Because of the patient's history of cholestatic liver disease during pregnancy and similar complications during pregnancy in her mother, the specimen was submitted for molecular testing, which revealed a mutation in ABCB4 (c.2869C>T, p.R957X). This nonsense mutation introduced a premature stop codon, resulting in a nonfunctional protein. The heterozygosity of this mutation explained the late onset and relatively mild clinical manifestation in this patient. In conclusion, MDR3 deficiency needs to be included as a diagnostic consideration in cholestatic liver diseases of not only infants but also adults. ABCB4 gene mutation analysis will help establish the diagnosis and avoid unnecessary treatment.

Clinicopathologic Features of Peutz-Jeghers Polyps Compared to Other Hamartomatous Polyps

(Poster No. 26)

Mark Ettel, MD ([email protected]); Xiaoyan Liao, MD, PhD. Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.

Context: Peutz-Jeghers (PJ) syndrome is characterized by STK11 gene mutation, gastrointestinal polyposis, mucocutaneous pigmentation, and increased cancer risk. PJ polyps (PJPs) have fronds of lamina propria, cystically dilated glands, and arborizing smooth muscle. However, other hamartomatous polyps can mimic PJP. We compared cases of PJP to similar non-PJ polyp (NPJP) cases.

Design: Clinicopathologic features in patients with PJP from 2006 to 2021 were compared to controls with NPJP. Statistics were performed by using the t test and Fisher exact test.

Results: We identified 10 PJ syndrome patients with a mean age of 37 years (range, 9–68 years) and 36 PJP specimens. The 10 control patients had a mean age of 50 years (range, 13–80 years) and 11 NPJP specimens. There were no age or sex differences. Three PJP patients and 2 control patients had a history of malignancy. PJ specimens were more likely to have small bowel polyps (23 of 36 [64%] versus 1 of 11 [9%], P = .002); there was no difference in stomach or colon involvement. PJP specimens more often had multiple polyps (33 of 36 [92%] versus 7 of 11 [64%], P = .04). There was no difference in dysplasia or polyp size. Non-PJ cases were more likely than PJ cases to have histologic prolapse (0 of 25 [0%] versus 2 of 7 [29%], P = .04). Gastric PJPs were more likely to have foveolar hyperplasia (9 of 9 [100%] versus 1 of 3 [33%], P = .045). Upon follow-up, all NPJP patients were alive; 1 PJ patient died of urothelial carcinoma.

Conclusions: We showed that patients with PJP and NPJP can be differentiated by polyp location and presence of multiple polyps, but other features, including patient age, dysplasia, and history of malignancy, may overlap.

Liver Histopathology in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Case Series

(Poster No. 27)

Saryn Doucette, MD; Mara L. Fernández-Santiago, MD ([email protected]); Kelly Simarski, AS. Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

Context: Known risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC) do not entirely explain the increasing incidence of early-onset (age below 50 years) CRC. There may be a unique set of risk factors not yet identified. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been linked to CRC but not specifically studied in patients younger than 50 years. To study this, we retrospectively evaluated the histopathology in hepatectomies from patients with early-onset CRC.

Design: A search of our pathology database from 2011–2021 identified hepatectomies for metastatic CRC in 21 early-onset CRC patients. Clinical and demographic data were obtained. Liver histopathology was evaluated on H&E, trichrome, reticulin, iron, and PAS/diastase stains.

Results: There were 8 men (38%) and 13 women (62%), including 3 Black, 2 Hispanic, and 16 White patients. The median age was 44 years (IQR, 41–47.5 years). Eleven patients had a family history of CRC but no documented hereditary syndrome. Steatosis was seen in 16 patients (76%): 2 severe (>66% fat), 4 moderate (>33%–66% fat), 6 mild (5%–33% fat), and 4 minimal (<5% fat), whereas 5 patients had no steatosis (see Table with clinical characteristics). Mild portal fibrosis was seen in 1 patient; 3 had mild sinusoidal fibrosis; 1 showed venous outflow obstruction; and 1 showed lymphocytic cholangitis.

Clinical Characteristics and Degree of Steatosis and Fibrosis

Clinical Characteristics and Degree of Steatosis and Fibrosis
Clinical Characteristics and Degree of Steatosis and Fibrosis

Conclusions: Steatosis was the most common liver histopathologic abnormality in our pilot study of 21 early-onset CRC patients. Future studies will include evaluation of steatosis in patients with different stages of CRC to further explore the link between NAFLD and CRC. Histopathologic evaluation of nonneoplastic liver in hepatectomy specimens may identify clinically significant treatable conditions such as NAFLD.

Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction Secondary to Diffuse Paraneoplastic Gastrointestinal Extramedullary Hematopoiesis Mimicking Crohn Disease: Report of a Rare Case

(Poster No. 28)

Kusum L. Sharma, MBBS1 ([email protected]); Ravi B. Singh, MBBS2; Xiaofei Zhang, MD, PhD.1 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison; 2Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.

In hematopoietic disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPNs), extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) occurs commonly in the spleen, liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands. Gastrointestinal tract involvement is uncommon and often focal. We report a case of a 65-year-old man with MDS/MPN with diffuse intestinal EMH causing chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP), clinically mimicking Crohn disease, who underwent total colectomy for chronic megacolon. Initially, he developed an episode of adynamic ileus following hip surgery. Later, he had an episode of progressive gastroenteritis with dilated distal small bowel and proximal colon. CT angiography at that time did not reveal any pathology, and prior colonoscopy was normal. Further, he had multiple episodes of abdominal bloating with marked intestinal dilatation requiring decompression and thus was diagnosed with CIP with chronic megacolon. He was later diagnosed with MDS/MPN and received decitabine therapy. He continued to have pseudo-obstructive symptoms, and subsequent colonoscopy revealed focal inflammation in the transverse colon. Biopsy revealed focal active colitis. Owing to an unknown etiology and the recurrent nature of his disease, total abdominal colectomy was performed. Grossly dilated colon revealed deep fissures and mucosal cobblestoning. Microscopically, there was diffuse EMH with atypical megakaryocytes in the colon, ileum, appendix, and regional lymph nodes. Other findings were multifocal ulceration, transmural inflammation, neuromuscular hypertrophy, pyloric metaplasia, and architectural distortion. Extensive intestinal EMH may cause enteric ganglionic neuropathy and result in intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Thus, in patients with pseudo-obstructive symptoms and clinicopathologic features of inflammatory bowel disease, EMH secondary to a hematopoietic disorder should be considered as a differential.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy–Induced Collagenous Colitis: A Rare Adverse Outcome

(Poster No. 29)

Maria Kamal, MD1 ([email protected]); Mahum Nadeem, MD2; Elizabeth Gillies, MD.1 Departments of 1Pathology and 2Internal Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City.

The failure of the immune system to recognize and eliminate malignant cells is the cornerstone of the pathogenesis of various malignancies. In 2011, with the approval of the first immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), cancer management was revolutionized. Nivolumab is an ICI with a distinct profile of gastrointestinal adverse events. Inflammatory bowel disease–like colitis is often associated with its use, and microscopic colitis is the least reported. Per our extensive literature search, only 4 cases of collagenous colitis due to ICI therapy have been reported to date. Here we add another interesting case to this brief list. A 75-year-old woman with small-cell lung carcinoma was started on immunotherapy with nivolumab/ipilimumab. Within a year of receiving treatment, she underwent colonoscopy for bothersome symptoms of chronic watery diarrhea and was diagnosed with immune-mediated colitis on histopathology. Colon biopsy at that time showed mildly active colitis and neutrophilic cryptitis with a negative infectious workup. She initially showed a good response to steroids, and her immunotherapy was held. However, her symptoms recurred when nivolumab was restarted after a year. Repeated colonoscopy and infectious workup were again normal. Colon biopsy this time revealed thickened subepithelial collagen and intraepithelial lymphocytes consistent with collagenous colitis (Figure 1.29). She was treated with steroids and intravenous fluids and discharged home. Our case highlights the importance of histopathologic examination in patients receiving ICI therapy with a normal colonoscopy. Collagenous colitis is an important differential in these cases. Histologic diagnosis and timely identification can guide clinicians for early targeted management.

Large Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm of Mesocolon in Association With Adenocarcinoma of Duodenum in an Elderly Man: A Rare Incidental Entity in a Male, Posing a Diagnostic Challenge

(Poster No. 30)

Prachi, MD ([email protected]); Hema M. Aiyer, MD. Department of Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dharamshila Narayana Superspecialty Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the mesocolon are rare intra-abdominal lesions in the spectrum of mesenteric cysts, with an extremely rare incidence in male patients. To date, only 1 case has been reported in a 5-year-old boy and was designated as benign. These neoplasms commonly arise from the ovaries or from extraovarian sites like the pancreas, liver, and appendix. A 66-year-old man presented with vomiting and abdominal distention and was diagnosed with duodenal adenocarcinoma on upper gastrointestinal biopsy. Contrast-enhanced CT and MRI revealed abrupt luminal narrowing and wall thickening of D2, with a multiloculated septate cystic lesion close to the duodenal stricture that was diagnosed as cystic lymphangioma (Figure 1.30, A). The patient underwent Whipple resection with right hemicolectomy. Grossly, the mesentery adherent to the duodenum and colon showed a multilocular thin-walled cyst measuring 14 × 6.5 × 5.0 cm, filled with mucinous fluid (Figure 1.30, B). Microscopically, the cyst wall showed mucin-secreting epithelium of the intestinal type, with focal stratification, cribriform appearance, absence of ovarian-like stroma, and no evidence of malignancy (Figure 1.30, C). IHC showed positivity for CK7 and CK20, and benign mucinous cystic neoplasm of the mesocolon was diagnosed (Figure 1.30, D). The patient showed no recurrence on 2 years of follow-up. These rare tumors in males have unclear pathogenesis and pose diagnostic challenges preoperatively. They lack specific symptoms, biochemical markers, and radiologic findings. Given their malignant potential, they form differentials for all mesenteric cysts. Complete surgical excision is the mainstay of the treatment, followed by comprehensive microscopic evaluation for definitive diagnosis.

Unusual Presentation of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm With Marked Colonization/Fistulization of the Duodenal Mucosa and Common Bile Duct in an 81-Year-Old Man

(Poster No. 31)

Regina Reed, MD ([email protected]); George Sneed, DO. Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a benign mucin-producing neoplasm of the pancreas that arises in the main duct and/or branch ducts of the pancreas; however, about 40% of IPMNs are associated with invasive carcinoma. We report an unusual case of IPMN in an 81-year-old man that colonized/fistulized into the common bile duct (CBD) and duodenal mucosa. The patient initially presented with a dilated pancreatic duct and biliary obstruction. Imaging and endoscopic findings were most consistent with an IPMN, and the patient underwent a Whipple procedure. The Whipple specimen grossly demonstrated a multicystic mucinous lesion spanning 8 cm that was associated with the pancreatic duct (blue arrow in Figure 1.31, B) within the head and neck of the pancreas and extended into the CBD (yellow arrow in Figure 1.31, B) and protruded through the ampulla. There were also 2 villous lesions (arrows in Figure 1.31, C) located on the duodenal mucosa, 2.5 cm proximal to the ampulla. Microscopically, this process was diagnosed as IPMN, gastric foveolar type, with areas of high-grade dysplasia. The IPMN extended from the dilated pancreatic duct into the CBD (Figure 1.31, A) and prominently colonized surrounding smaller pancreatic branching ducts and, through excessive pressure, colonized submucosal duodenal ducts and formed a fistula to the duodenal mucosal surface (Figure 1.31, D). Despite the extensive colonization/fistulization of the IPMN, there was no invasion identified; hence, the prognosis was favorable. This case highlights that IPMN can present extensively with fistulization and colonization to neighboring organs and structures without being malignant or invasive.

Clinicopathologic and Molecular Analysis of Colorectal Carcinomas With Neuroendocrine Differentiation

(Poster No. 32)

Nazire E. Albayrak, MD ([email protected]); Bella L. Liu, MD; Alexandros D. Polydorides, MD; Stephen Ward, MD. Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York.

Context: The World Health Organization subdivides colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms into well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors, poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), and mixed neuroendocrine–nonneuroendocrine neoplasms, including mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas (MANECs). When the neuroendocrine component represents less than 30%, it is termed as adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation (ANED). Colorectal cancer data sets reveal that molecular profiling of carcinomas with neuroendocrine differentiation is limited to 63 NECs and 3 MANECs.

Design: Fifty-seven cases of colorectal carcinoma with a range of neuroendocrine differentiation (19 ANEDs, 16 MANECs, and 22 NECs) were compared with 100 controls of adenocarcinoma without neuroendocrine differentiation along demographics, mutational profiles, histopathologic grade and stage, tumor size, and location. Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors of any grade were excluded.

Results: Colorectal carcinomas with neuroendocrine differentiation presented at an earlier age (median, 59 versus 65 years; P = .04) in a similar sex distribution. Compared with adenocarcinomas of the same tumor size (median, 4 cm) and location, poorly differentiated carcinomas with neuroendocrine differentiation showed more frequent lymph node (P < .001) and distant (P < .001) metastases and hence were associated with more advanced disease stage (ie, stage III/IV: 89% versus 40%; P < .001) at the time of diagnosis. Pearson correlation confirmed that frequency of BRAF mutations was correlated positively (r =.969) with neuroendocrine differentiation (31% NECs, 23% MANECs, and 6% ANEDs versus 3% conventional adenocarcinomas; P = .03). Furthermore, dysregulation of the RB1/p16 pathway was exclusively identified in NEC (13%) and MANEC (25%) groups.

Conclusions: In summary, poorly differentiated colorectal carcinomas with neuroendocrine differentiation display aggressive behavior. Yet, they are more likely to harbor certain mutations such as BRAF p.V600E, which is of therapeutic value.

Benign Epithelial Vascular Emboli and Bile Embolism in the Gallbladder of a COVID-19–Positive Patient With Subacute Calculous Cholecystitis

(Poster No. 33)

Christopher Q. Miller, MD1 ([email protected]); Hector Mesa, MD1; Sidney D. Bruce, MD2; Nikolay Popnikolov, MD1; Nishi Dave, MD.1 Departments of 1Pathology and 2General Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis.

Lymphovascular invasion is a hallmark of the neoplastic process, but the presence of benign epithelium in vessels has been reported in various tissues. Several mechanisms have been suggested as causes of such epithelial displacement, including surgical manipulation, increased mucosal friability, and inflammation. Here we report a case of benign epithelial vascular emboli in a gallbladder with cholecystitis. A 29-year-old man presented with acute calculous cholecystitis. The surgery was delayed for several weeks owing to his COVID-19 infection. Histologic examination of his cholecystectomy specimen revealed subacute cholecystitis and widespread vascular epithelial emboli with associated fibrin deposition and bile embolism (Figure 1.33, A through D). The epithelial emboli were localized in small veins and arterioles with D2-40/CD31+/CD34+ endothelium. The displaced epithelium showed benign cytologic features. It had a wild-type p53 expression pattern and a Ki-67 labeling index of <1%, supporting a benign process. No evidence of neoplasia could be found within the specimen. The presence of fibrin adherent to the epithelium and bile emboli was consistent with an in vivo process. Persistent inflammation, mucosal ulceration, and protracted surgical manipulation secondary to adhesive disease are favored to be the underlying causes of these histologic findings. Although we presumed an uneventful outcome, clinical follow-up was suggested owing to this unusual finding. To our knowledge, the displacement of benign epithelium has not been previously reported in the gallbladder. Pathologists should be aware of this rare phenomenon and spend extra effort to prove the benign nature of this process. The role of COVID-19 infection is uncertain.

Malignant Gastrointestinal Neuroectodermal Tumor Arising in the Extrahepatic Bile Ducts: A Rare Neoplasm in an Unusual Anatomic Location

(Poster No. 34)

Christopher Q. Miller, MD1 ([email protected]); Omer Saeed, MBBS1; Ahmad Al-Hader, MD2; Gail H. Vance, MD3; Chen Zhang, MD, PhD.1 Departments of 1Pathology, 2Hematology/Oncology, and 3Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis.

Malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumor (GNET), also referred to as clear cell sarcoma–like tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, is a rare aggressive neoplasm with fewer than 100 cases reported in the literature. Most cases are reported to arise in the tubular gastrointestinal tract. We report a unique case of GNET arising in the extrahepatic bile ducts. The patient was a 34-year-old woman who presented with painless jaundice and diarrhea several months after undergoing cholecystectomy for biliary dyskinesia. CT and endoscopic studies revealed a mass arising from the peripheral 4B bile ducts, involving the left hepatic duct and hepatic duct bifurcation. Evaluation of bile duct brushings resulted in the diagnosis of a malignant epithelioid neoplasm initially favored to represent melanoma. Partial hepatectomy with resection of the extrahepatic bile ducts was performed. Histologic examination of the lesion showed a malignant spindled and epithelioid neoplasm, extensively involving the wall of the extrahepatic bile ducts and invading the hepatic parenchyma (Figure 1.34, A through D). The neoplastic cells were strongly positive for S100 and SOX10. Immunohistochemical stains for various cytokeratins and melanoma markers were negative. Fluorescence in situ hybridization testing with EWSR1 break-apart probes showed rearrangement of the EWSR1 gene region. The immunohistochemical and molecular findings were consistent with a diagnosis of GNET arising in the extrahepatic bile ducts. The patient was followed up by active surveillance, with no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis, and is presently at 13 months status post resection.

Duodenal Metastasis as the Sole Recurrence of Regressive Sinonasal Melanoma in a Young African American Patient: A Rare Case Report

(Poster No. 35)

Khaled S. Mohamed, MD ([email protected]); Reeba Omman, MD. Department of Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville.

Malignant melanoma (MM) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is rare. MMs of the GI tract are metastatic and rarely primary. A total of 2.5% of cases are from a regressed melanoma of unknown primary origin. During autopsy, 50%–60% of cutaneous MMs have GI metastasis, and only 2% are diagnosed antemortem. Sinonasal MM represents <1% of all melanomas. In addition, duodenal melanoma accounts for 12% of GI MMs. The prognosis is worse in African Americans, with a higher rate of metastasis. A 37-year-old African American man had left-nostril MM after resection, radiation, and immunotherapy. After 4 years, PET scanning showed a 4.8-cm mass in the right abdomen with an SUV of 4.2. Endoscopic biopsy of a mass in the duodenum revealed melanoma. Despite treatment, PET displayed an enlarging mass with an SUV of 7.6. The patient experienced GI bleeding and weight loss and eventually underwent resection. The duodenum revealed a 6-cm mass (Figure 1.35, A) attached to the wall with necrosis and hemorrhage on serial sectioning. Histology revealed dense submucosal and muscularis externa involvement (Figure 1.35, B) of malignant spindle cells with prominent nucleoli, nuclear inclusions, and melanin pigmentation (Figure 1.35, C). The spindle cells were positive for SOX10 (Figure 1.35, D), melan-A, and S100, supportive of MM. The submitted lymph nodes were negative for metastatic melanoma. Given the patient's history, a metastatic duodenal MM was favored. Metastatic MM of the GI tract is rare and spreads often from lower extremities. The overall prognosis is poor. Early detection and surgery extend the mean survival to 48 months.

The Concordance Between Wide-Area Transepithelial Sampling With Computer-Assisted 3-Dimensional Analysis (WATS-3D) and Standard Endoscopic Biopsy in the Detection of Esophageal Dysplasia and Barrett Esophagus

(Poster No. 36)

Zarrin Hossein-Zadeh, MD ([email protected]); Chaohui Lisa Zhao, MD, PhD; Iman Hanna, MD; Solomon Turunbedu, MD; Gerasimos Karalis, MD. Department of Pathology, New York University, Langone-Long Island, Mineola.

Context: Barrett esophagus (BE) is a premalignant condition that develops as a consequence of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease and which, if left untreated, can lead to dysplasia and neoplasia. The most common endoscopic surveillance method is traditional forceps biopsy. This technique has low sensitivity and often leaves most of the mucosa unsampled. Recently, the use of wide-area transepithelial sampling with computer-assisted 3-dimensional analysis (WATS-3D) has received much attention. The aim of this research was to add to our experience of WATS-3D by comparing it with traditional forceps biopsy.

Design: A retrospective observational study was performed. All existing GI biopsy cases diagnosed with WATS-3D were identified from our institutional database from 2019 to 2021. All the existing slides of the biopsy cases were reviewed. Univariate analysis was performed for statistical testing.

Results: A total of 109 cases were included in this study, with 85 males and 24 females. The average age of patients with BE was 63.1 ± 11.3 years. In 59 BE cases diagnosed with traditional forceps biopsy, 49 were classified as no dysplasia, 3 were indefinite for dysplasia, 6 were low-grade dysplasia, and 1 was high-grade dysplasia. In 72 cases diagnosed by WATS-3D, 64 were classified as no dysplasia, 7 were indefinite for dysplasia, and 1 was high-grade dysplasia (Figure 1.36, A through D). There was a significant difference between the 2 methods (P < .01).

Conclusions: Compared with traditional forceps biopsy, WATS-3D was more sensitive in finding intestinal metaplasia. However, WATS-3D tended to classify low-grade dysplasia as indefinite for dysplasia.

Epstein-Barr Virus–Associated Gastritis in a Patient With Polycythemia Vera on Ruxolitinib

(Poster No. 37)

Bianca Puello Yocum, MD1 ([email protected]); Jennifer Maratt, MD2; Hector Mesa, MD1; Nikolay Popnikolov, MD.1 Departments of 1Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and 2Gastroenterology, Indiana University, Indianapolis.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is acquired early in life as asymptomatic or symptomatic infectious mononucleosis (IM) and remains latent in a few B cells in most individuals. Pathologic EBV reactivation affects immunosuppressed individuals and manifests as IM-like syndromes, polyclonal lymphoproliferative disorders, EBV-related lymphomas, or EBV-related carcinomas. EBV-associated gastritis (EBV-AG) is an underrecognized and very rarely reported entity. A 65-year-old woman with polycythemia vera treated with ruxolitinib presented with fatigue, fever, arthralgia, and worsening abdominal pain. Workup revealed high EBV viremia (EBV q.PCR, 75 103 IU/mL), increased liver enzymes, and acalculous cholecystitis. A liver biopsy showed chronic, mildly active hepatitis with negative EBV encoding region in situ hybridization (EBER-ISH), which was favored to be drug induced because it resolved spontaneously. She developed melena, and an upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed 1 gastric ulcer. Histologic examination showed ulcerated mucosa with prominent lymphoid infiltrate consisting predominantly of small lymphocytes and plasma cells. Classic lymphoepithelial lesions or atypical populations were not observed. Immunostaining for Helicobacter pylori was negative, and CD3, CD20, κ, and λ immunostains showed marked predominance of T over B cells and polyclonal plasma cells. EBER-ISH demonstrated numerous scattered EBV-positive cells (Figure 1.37, A through D), and a diagnosis of EBV-AG was made. She received 1 week of antiviral therapy, and follow-up EGD at 1 month showed a healing ulcer. After 2 months, new gastric ulcers and persistent viremia (EBV q.PCR, 5609 IU/mL) were identified. Numerous reports of symptomatic and asymptomatic EBV reactivation syndromes after ruxolitinib therapy are emerging. Reported mechanisms include impaired immunosurveillance due to severe reduction in T-lymphocyte subsets.

Mesenteric Rosai-Dorfman Disease in Cowden Syndrome With IgG4-Positive Infiltrate and Rare KRAS Mutation Suggesting Neoplasia

(Poster No. 38)

Benjamin Gertsen, MD1 ([email protected]); Tom C. DeRoche, MD2; Aaron R. Huber, DO.1 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York; 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Airport Way Regional Laboratory, Portland, Oregon.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is characterized by large S100-positive histiocytes exhibiting emperipolesis. The disease most commonly affects lymph nodes but may occur in extranodal sites, where there is often fibrosis with less pronounced emperipolesis. Prior theories of the pathogenesis of RDD have included infection or abnormal immune response. Recently some RDD cases have been found to harbor KRAS, NRAS, or MAP2K1 mutations, suggesting that a subset of RDD may represent neoplasms. IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration has been described in RDD, and there is a questionable association with IgG4-related disease (IgG4RD). A 52-year-old man with Cowden syndrome who presented with hematochezia was found to have a mesenteric mass on imaging. The 6.5-cm ileal mesenteric mass and adjacent serosal deposits showed sheets of histiocytes in a background of lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and sclerosing fibrosis. Lesional histiocytes exhibited enlarged nuclei and voluminous cytoplasm with emperipolesis; they expressed S100 and CD68. Forty IgG4-positive plasma cells were seen per high-power field, with an IgG4:IgG ratio of 35% (Figure 1.38, A through D). Serum IgG4 was normal, and there were no clinical or imaging features of IgG4RD. KRAS (A146P) and PTEN (S170I) mutations were detected in tumor tissue. This report highlights the possibility of dense IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration in RDD, which may cause morphologic overlap with IgG4RD given the fibrosis associated with extranodal RDD. The KRAS mutation further supports the contention that a subset of RDD cases represents neoplasms; additionally, to our knowledge, this KRAS variant in RDD is rare and has been reported only once previously.

An Institutional Review of Histology Protocol for Hirschsprung Disease

(Poster No. 39)

Nashwan Jabbour, MD ([email protected]); Nuha Shaker, MD; Nathan Shelman, MD; Shadi Qasem, MD. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

Context: Hirschsprung disease is a congenital condition of intestinal innervation. Pathology laboratories have variable sectioning and staining protocols for these specimens. We aim to review our institutional experience in the processing of biopsies for Hirschsprung disease.

Design: Biopsy specimens were collected during 5 years (2015–2020). Twenty levels were obtained from each biopsy; 10 intervening levels were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), and 2 levels were stained for calretinin. Two teams reviewed the slides independently and recorded their findings.

Results: One hundred three biopsy specimens were obtained from 101 patients ranging in age from 1 day to 9 weeks (61 male and 2 female patients). Eighty cases (78%) were positive for ganglion cells and 23 cases (22%) were negative. Among the positive cases, the teams were able to find ganglion cells within the first 5 H&E levels in 72 cases (90%), and on the first calretinin stain level in 78 cases (98%). The teams were concordant on 98 cases (95%) and were able to identify ganglion cells within the same level, or 1 level away from each other, in all but 1 case (99%) (Figure 1.39).

Conclusions: Our findings support the current practice of obtaining multiple levels, and we confirm that calretinin is a helpful auxiliary stain in challenging cases. In our experience, ganglion cells can be identified in the first few H&E levels and the first level stained with calretinin. A tiered approach may be more practical and economic in the workup of biopsies for Hirschsprung disease.

Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumor Initially Presenting as a Giant Liver Mass Radiologically Mimicking Primary Cystic Cholangiocarcinoma

(Poster No. 40)

Xia Qian, MD, PhD1 ([email protected]); Jinping Lai, MD, PhD.2 1Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York; 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center, Sacramento, California.

Ovarian granulosa cell tumor is a rare type of malignant sex-cord stromal tumor, with adult and juvenile types. The tumor initially presents as a giant liver mass; clinically mimicking primary cholangiocarcinoma is exceedingly rare. We report such a case of a 66-year-old woman who presented with right upper quadrant pain. Her past medical history was unremarkable except for a remote hysterectomy for a benign disease. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging showed an 18.1-cm solid and cystic liver mass (Figure 1.40, A; T, T2 axial), and a subsequent fused positron emission tomography/computed tomography confirmed the solid and cystic mass with hypermetabolic activity (Figure 1.40, B; T) concerning for liver cystadenoma and associated cystadenocarcinoma/cholangiocarcinoma. A fine-needle core biopsy of the liver mass showed coffee-bean–shaped tumor cells (Figure 1.40, C). The tumor cells were positive for inhibin (Figure 1.40, D; left), Foxl2 (Figure 1.40, D; right), WT-1, SF1, vimentin, ER, and SMA. They were negative for AE1/AE3, CAM 5.2, EMA, glypican-3, HepPar1, arginase, CD34, desmin, CD10, CK7, CK20, synaptophysin, chromogranin, S100, HMB-45, CDX2, TTF1, and Pax8. A 2.5-cm ill-defined right ovarian mass was found through re-review of the imaging findings. The histologic features and immunoprofile supported a metastatic sex-cord stromal tumor favoring granulosa cell tumor, adult type, of the right ovary. Strata next-generation sequencing test was performed on the liver biopsy and Foxl2 p.C134W (NM_023067.3: c.402 C>G) mutation was present, consistent with granulosa cell tumor. After multidisciplinary tumor board discussion owing to inoperable disease, the patient underwent chemotherapy with clinical improvement.

“Quadruple-Negative” NTRK-Rearranged Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Esophagus

(Poster No. 41)

Bindu Challa, MD ([email protected]); Daniel Jones, MD, PhD; Ashwini Esnakula, MD, MS. Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) that are KIT/PDGFRA/BRAF mutation–negative and SDH-proficient can be regarded as “quadruple negative” GISTs. A rare molecular alteration in such cases included NTRK rearrangement, with 2 previously reported cases involving the large and small bowel. We present a case of quadruple-negative GIST with ETV6::NTRK3 fusion presenting in the esophagus in a 34-year-old woman with dysphagia. Endoscopy revealed a large, fungating mass in the mid-esophagus, and biopsies were nondiagnostic. The patient subsequently underwent esophagogastrectomy. Gross examination showed a 6.1-cm tan-white, nodular ulcerated mass (Figure 1.41, A). Histologic examination showed a multinodular myxoid lesion centered in the submucosa and extending into muscularis propria and mucosa. The lesion was composed of low-grade spindled to epithelioid cells with cytoplasmic vacuolization and rare intranuclear inclusions in a background of myxoid stroma (Figure 1.41, B and C) with prominent inflammatory response. Mitoses were rare (1/5 mm2), and tumor necrosis was not identified. On immunohistochemistry, lesional cells were diffusely positive for DOG-1 (Figure 1.41, D) and CD34 with scattered positivity for CD117, MDM2, and TLE1. The tumor was negative for S100, desmin, HMB-45, SMA, MUC4, STAT6, ALK-1, P63, EMA, CD31, and cytokeratins. Based on diffuse expression for DOG-1, the tumor was classified as a GIST. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) on tumor DNA with intron tiling of common oncogenes revealed a typical ETV6::NTRK3 gene fusion with results confirmed by NGS-based RNA sequencing (ETV6e5-NTRK3e14). The patient remained disease-free at 10-month follow-up. This case adds to the expanding spectrum of tumors with NTRK rearrangement that have proven to be therapeutically targetable with TRK inhibitors.

SF-1 Immunostain Outperforms ER and PR in the Diagnosis of Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm of the Pancreas

(Poster No. 42)

Niyati T. Desai, MBBS, MD ([email protected]); Matthias Szabolcs, MD; Helen E. Remotti, MD; Stephen M. Lagana, MD; Huaibin M. Ko, MD. Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York.

Context: Mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) are thick-walled mucinous cysts occurring almost exclusively in the pancreas of middle-aged women. Key histologic features include an inner mucinous epithelial layer and ovarian-type stroma. Immunostains for estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) are used in the diagnosis of MCN and help differentiate MCN from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). According to the World Health Organization, 30% are ER+ while 60%–90% are PR+. Here, we evaluate SF-1 immunostaining as a diagnostic and differentiating marker of MCN.

Design: Seventeen cases of MCN and 18 cases of IPMN were identified. SF-1 immunostaining was performed. Nuclear positivity for SF-1 in spindled stroma was scored by 2 pathologists. Both extent (% positive cells: 0, ≤5%; 1+, 6%–25%; 2+, 26%–50%; 3+, 51%–75%; and 4+, 76%–100%) and intensity (negative [0], weak [1+, visible at 20×], moderate [2+, visible at 10×], or strong [3+, visible at 4×]) were evaluated.

Results: SF-1 was positive in all 17 MCN cases; most were strongly and diffusely positive (14 of 17, 82.4%). SF-1 staining was specific for ovarian stroma (nuclear) without positivity in tumor epithelium or surrounding pancreas. Conversely, SF-1 was negative in all cases of IPMN. In contrast, ER and PR staining was commonly “weak” or “focal” (Table).

Comparison of SF-1 to ER and PR Immunostains in MCN

Comparison of SF-1 to ER and PR Immunostains in MCN
Comparison of SF-1 to ER and PR Immunostains in MCN

Conclusions: SF-1 immunostain is a robust marker of ovarian stroma in MCN, distinguishes between MCN and IPMN, and is positive in MCN when ER or PR stains are weak/negative. In conclusion, SF-1 is an underused but useful marker for MCN.

Recurrent Colonic Adenocarcinoma Exhibiting Mucosal Colonization and Mimicking a Second Primary With Features of a Traditional Serrated Adenoma

(Poster No. 43)

Matthew Uy, DO ([email protected]); Douglas Walton, MD. Department of Pathology and Area Laboratory Services, San Antonio Military Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas.

Metastatic carcinomas that extend to the mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can closely mimic a primary lesion with features of paradoxical maturation and adenomatous changes. These changes have been referred to as “mucosal colonization” and may lead to the misdiagnosis of a primary carcinoma as opposed to a recurrence or metastasis. We report a case of an 80-year-old man with a history of mucinous adenocarcinoma status post resection 2 years prior who presented with a new mass at the ileocolic anastomosis site. Histologic sections demonstrated mucinous adenocarcinoma involving the mucosal surface and areas of high- and low-grade dysplasia with features of traditional serrated adenoma (Figure 1.43, A and B). The diagnosis of recurrent mucinous adenocarcinoma with mucosal colonization was rendered. This assessment was based on the similar histology to the previous resection, identical mismatch repair studies (all intact), the subserosal position of most of the carcinoma, as well as the location at the anastomotic site. Mucosal colonization of the GI tract can present challenges in determining metastasis versus a second primary carcinoma. It is important for pathologists to be mindful of this phenomenon, particularly when dealing with a new luminal GI lesion in a patient with a history of carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the only reported case of colonic adenocarcinoma with mucosal colonization showing features of a traditional serrated adenoma as well as mucosal colonization documented in the context of a recurrence.

Correlation of Reactive Lymph Node Hyperplasia and MS-Unstable Medullary Carcinoma of Colon

(Poster No. 44)

Ansa Mehreen, MD ([email protected]); Adesola Akinyemi, MD; Curtis Hall, MD. Department of Pathology, University of Chicago-Northshore, Evanston, Illinois.

Context: Medullary carcinoma (MC) of colon is a unique histologic subtype of microsatellite (MS)-unstable colorectal carcinoma, but little is known about its lymphocyte-rich tumor-immunoregulatory microenvironment. We found reactive lymph node hyperplasia in 1 of our routine cases of MC that prompted further workup for a lymphoid neoplasm, which was negative. This drove our interest to examine more cases of MC for reactive hyperplasia in lymph nodes (LNs) given the neoantigen-rich environment that results in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

Design: H&E-stained slides of benign LNs were examined from 24 colonic resections diagnosed as MS-unstable medullary carcinoma of colon and MS-stable colonic adenocarcinoma from our pathology database. Sizes of LNs and germinal centers (GCs) were used as an objective criterion to determine the reactivity of nodes. Sizes were measured by using an ocular micrometer. Data were analyzed by using 2-tailed t test.

Results: Twelve cases were identified in each group. No significant difference was identified between the largest and average lymph node size (P = .60 and .37, respectively). However, the size of GCs was significantly larger in MS-unstable medullary carcinoma (P = .02; Table).

Comparison of Lymph Node (LN) Parameters

Comparison of Lymph Node (LN) Parameters
Comparison of Lymph Node (LN) Parameters

Conclusions: These limited data suggest that the immune-mediated response that results in lymphocyte infiltration in MC is not limited to the tumor only, but that the surrounding LNs also show reactive hyperplasia with significantly large GCs, which potentially can be an indication of systemic immune dysregulation. More studies are warranted with larger study populations to assess the phenomenon in other lymphoid tissue and using other indicators to access for immune modulation.

Anti-TNF-α–Induced Peritoneal Granulomatosis With Histoplasmosis Masquerading as Abdominal Carcinomatosis

(Poster No. 45)

Elnaz Panah, MD ([email protected]); Thanchanok Chaiprasit, MD; Andreas Kontosis, MD; Zachary Kimura, MS; Xiuxu Chen, MD; Xianzhong Ding, MD. Department of Pathology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois.

Infliximab is a tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) antagonist that has established an important role in the treatment of many inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel disease. One of the most important side effects of TNF-α antagonists is the risk of opportunistic infections. We present an interesting case of a 57-year-old man with a long-documented history of Crohn disease who was taking infliximab. He presented with progressive abdominal pain, distention, and low-grade fever. Abdominal CT scan showed moderate abdominopelvic ascites and infiltration of the mesentery and omentum, concerning for peritoneal carcinomatosis. He underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy with omentectomy and partial small-bowel resection, and biopsies were taken of the liver and mesenteric lymph nodes. Histologic examination revealed numerous necrotizing and nonnecrotizing granulomas with multinucleated giant cells involving the small bowel, omentum, mesenteric lymph nodes, and liver parenchyma. GMS staining demonstrated numerous intracellular yeast-type fungal organisms measuring 3 to 6 μm in diameter, which is consistent with Histoplasma infection. A positive urinary histoplasmosis antigen test further confirmed the diagnosis. This case serves as a dramatic example of diffuse peritoneal granulomatous histoplasmosis masquerading as abdominal carcinomatosis due to TNF-α antagonist–induced immune suppression. Recognizing this infectious entity and making a prompt diagnosis is crucial to avoid delayed therapy.

Diagnostic Utility of Ordering Deeper Levels for Endoscopically Diagnosed Polyps With Initial Nondiagnostic Biopsy Specimen: A Retrospective Study

(Poster No. 46)

Mozibur Rahman, MBBS ([email protected]); Priyanka Patil, MD. Department of Pathology, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York.

Context: In our surgical pathology practice, there are no predetermined guidelines for ordering deeper levels in case of nondiagnostic initial biopsy for endoscopically diagnosed colorectal polyps. In our practice, 2 initial H&E levels are cut for every colorectal biopsy. Few pathologists order deeper levels before signing out the report as no significant pathologic diagnosis. The aim of the study is to determine the diagnostic yield of ordering deeper levels as well as introducing uniformity in our surgical pathology practice when we deal with these colorectal biopsies.

Design: Fifty-three cases with nondiagnostic pathology reports on endoscopically diagnosed colon polyps were identified after searching our laboratory information system for 7 months' duration. We cut 5 additional H&E deeper levels on these 53 paraffin blocks. The deeper levels were examined by the pathology resident and gastrointestinal pathologist for any additional findings corresponding to the level of cutting. The endoscopic correlation and the final result analysis were done.

Results: The deeper levels yielded new diagnostic information in 34 of 53 cases (64%) and specifically tubular adenoma in 9 of 53 cases (17%) (Table). Most of these adenomas were first detected on the third deeper level.

Change in the Diagnosis of the Polypoid Lesion After Deeper Level Cuts

Change in the Diagnosis of the Polypoid Lesion After Deeper Level Cuts
Change in the Diagnosis of the Polypoid Lesion After Deeper Level Cuts

Conclusions: Our findings support routine ordering of at least 3 deeper levels to improve adenoma detection rate. If in the same case, biopsy of another part shows adenomatous polyp, examination of deeper levels may not be necessary. In such cases, referencing US colorectal cancer prevention task force guidelines would be helpful before ordering deeper levels.

Metastases to the Thyroid From Poorly Differentiated Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

(Poster No. 47)

Bo Young E. Lee, DO ([email protected]); Steven H. Adams, MD; Randolph A. Hennigar, PhD, MD; Jela Bandovic, MD. Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York.

Metastases to the thyroid gland are uncommon, with the most frequent primaries being renal, gastrointestinal, and lung malignancies. Metastasis from cholangiocarcinoma to thyroid has been described twice in prior literature. A 69-year-old woman was admitted for failure to thrive. Alkaline phosphatase was significantly elevated (607 IU/L). CT revealed innumerable masses throughout the liver and a lesion at the pancreatic head/body, and multiple nodules in the thyroid. Results of CT of abdomen/pelvis performed 5 months prior were unremarkable. Serum CA 19-9, AFP, and CEA tumor markers were negative; CA 125 (3397 U/mL) and CA 15-3 (960.6 U/mL) were elevated. Ascitic cytology revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma. She rapidly deteriorated and died. Postmortem examination revealed multiple well-circumscribed tan-pink lesions in the liver, the largest measuring 17 × 12.5 × 10 cm, in a noncirrhotic background (Figure 1.47, A); numerous tan-yellow punctate lesions throughout the pancreas; enlarged peripancreatic, para-aortic, and paratracheal lymph nodes; and thyroid nodules. Microscopy revealed poorly differentiated carcinoma within the liver; pancreas; gallbladder; peritoneum; stomach; small/large bowel; trachea; lungs; heart; kidneys; adrenals; spleen; peripancreatic, para-aortic, and para-esophageal lymph nodes; and the thyroid (Figure 1.47, B). The immunohistochemical profile of CK7+, CK19+, CEA+, CK20+ (focally), and CDX2, ER, GATA3, PAX8, WT1, and TTF-1 performed on liver lesion narrowed the differential diagnosis toward pancreatobiliary primaries. Gross findings of an enormous intrahepatic mass supported primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma over pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Hepatocellular carcinoma was excluded by noncirrhotic background, and HepPar1, AFP, and BerEP4+. Intrathyroid metastases stained CK7+ (Figure 1.47, C), CK19+, while TTF-1 stained normal thyroid background (Figure 1.47, D). This is the third reported case of metastasis from a cholangiocarcinoma to the thyroid.

Gastrointestinal Mucormycosis With COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Case Series

(Poster No. 48)

Steven H. Adams, MD ([email protected]); Pons T. Materum, MD; Jela Bandovic, MD; Randolph A. Hennigar, PhD, MD. Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York.

Mucormycosis, which includes infection by Mucor and Rhizopus species and is colloquially called “black fungus,” is associated with diabetic and immunocompromised patients. Mucormycosis is rarely detected on blood cultures and the diagnosis is made from morphologic and staining patterns of GMS+, PAS+, broad, ribbon-like pauciseptate, wide-angle randomly branching hyphae. We report 2 cases of gastrointestinal mucormycosis occurring in the setting of COVID-19 pneumonia. Case 1 involves a 52-year-old man with history of dyslipidemia and obesity who was admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia and developed concurrent Stenotrophomonas maltophilia pneumonia. After 2 weeks on mechanical ventilation with respiratory function deterioration, the patient died. In addition to findings of COVID-19–related lung injury, autopsy discovered 3 gastric ulcers. Histology showed colonization and angioinvasion by GMS+, PAS+, broad, hollow, nonseptate, right-angle–branching hyphae morphologically compatible with Mucor species (Figure 1.48, A and B). Our second case involves a 41-year-old man with history of hypertension and prediabetes who was admitted for breathing difficulty. He was found to be COVID-19–positive with acute kidney injury. The patient became obtunded and was intubated. Sputum cultures grew Stenotrophomonas species. Owing to bloody bowel movements, a CT scan showed ischemic stomach and small-bowel infarction. During surgery, 150 cm of frankly necrotic small bowel was excised. Histology revealed transmural infiltration by GMS+, PAS+, broad, ribbon-like pauciseptate, wide-angled branching hyphae with angioinvasion (Figure 1.48, C and D) and bowel ischemic/hemorrhagic necrosis. The patient died 48 hours later. Mortality rates for gastrointestinal mucormycosis approximate 50%. Mucormycosis with COVID-19 has been previously described in rhino-orbital and pulmonary infections. Only 2 cases of COVID-19–associated gastrointestinal mucormycosis have been reported to date.

Challenging Cases of Cylindroma-like Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma at Unusual Sites: A Unique Morphology

(Poster No. 49)

David Gustafson, MD ([email protected]); Lauren Pupa, BA; Julie Youngs, MD; Yve Huttenbach, MD; Shilpa Jain, MD. Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Cylindromas are benign tumors of the skin with the potential for malignant transformation. Associations between CYLD mutations and basaloid carcinomas of the anus and head and neck have been reported. These tumors show cylindroma-like morphology that can be challenging to diagnose at unusual sites, as discussed in the following 2 cases. Case 1 involved a 58-year-old woman with a past medical history of reflux who presented with 1 month of progressive dysphagia and a 2-cm ulcerative lesion in the distal esophagus. Case 2 involved a 58-year-old woman who presented with a friable anorectal mass extending 5 cm into the anal canal. Subsequent MRI showed a 7.5-cm heterogeneous mass in the right hepatic lobe. Targeted biopsies of the esophagus and liver showed similar findings on hematoxylin-eosin staining. There were nests of pleomorphic basaloid tumor cells with thickened hyalinized basement membrane material with hyaline globules. Immunohistochemical staining of the liver showed tumor cells positive for CK7, p63, p40, and strong p16 staining. Immunohistochemical staining of the esophagus showed positivity with CK5/6, p63, and p40, and negative p16 staining. The cylindroma-like basaloid squamous cell morphology has been reported in 13% of anal carcinomas and 21% of head and neck tumors and is associated with high-risk HPV. Awareness of this unique morphology is important for determining the primary malignancy in cases of metastasis (case 1) and unusual sites (case 2), as only 100 cases of the esophagus with this morphology have been reported. A better understanding of this genotype-phenotype relationship may assist with correct classification, treatment, and prognosis.

Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas With Liver Metastasis: A Case Report and Literature Review

(Poster No. 50)

Fnu Sandeep, MD ([email protected]); Oluwole Odujoko, MD; Erdembileg Chuluunerdene, MS; Samuel Barasch, MD. Department of Pathology, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Connecticut.

Most pancreatic malignancies are of primary origin. Although the pancreas lacks squamous epithelium, there can be metaplastic squamous epithelium in some pathologic settings. Endoscopic ultrasound–guided, fine-needle aspiration specimens obtained from chronic inflammatory conditions leading to metaplastic ductal epithelium, lymphoepithelial cysts, and adenosquamous carcinoma have shown foci of squamous epithelium. However, primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCCP) of pancreas is a rarely described malignancy, comprising 0.5%–5% of primary pancreatic malignancies. This wide range of incidences has been attributed to inaccurate categorization of adenosquamous carcinoma as SCCP in some cases, based on small tissue samples. In essence, this diagnosis of exclusion requires ruling out adenosquamous carcinoma and metastatic squamous carcinoma from other primary sites. Primary squamous cell carcinoma is considered an aggressive subtype of pancreatic carcinoma with a poor prognosis. Approximately 95% of patients present with advanced-stage disease including stage 3 and stage 4 disease at the initial presentation, with involvement of regional lymph nodes (unknown), liver (32%), lung (6%), and bone (unknown). We present a case of a 62-year-old man with a SCCP with liver metastasis. The subsequent investigation, treatment, outcome, and review of the literature are described. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case we are reporting from our center.

Clinicopathologic Characterization and Molecular Alterations of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

(Poster No. 51)

Yan Feng, MD, PhD ([email protected]); Hongxing Gui, MD, PhD. Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia.

Context: The overall incidence of and mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC) have decreased in recent years, while CRC in younger patients has trended higher. In this study, we aim to characterize early-onset CRC (age <45 years, EOCRC) versus late-onset (age >45 years, LOCRC), both clinicopathologically and molecularly.

Design: CRC patients were identified from our institutional database since 2012. The clinicopathologic characteristics were compared. Targeted sequencing and cBioportal database analysis were performed.

Results: We identified 55 EOCRC and 202 LOCRC patients (Table). Most EOCRC patients (78.2%) developed cancer in the left side, significantly higher than in the LOCRC group (50.5%, P < .001). EOCRC group had more G1 (27.3%) but less G2 (54.5%) than the LOCRC group (2.4% G1 and 76.8% G2, P < .001). EOCRC group had more T4 cases (16.3%) and fewer T3 cases (58.2%) than the LOCRC group (6.5% T4 and 65.3% T3, P < .01). Similarly, EOCRC group was associated with increased lymphatic metastasis (29.1% N2) compared to the LOCRC group (13.3% N2, P < .05). Consistently, EOCRC group had more remote metastasis at first diagnosis than the LOCRC group (20% versus 7.9%, P < .01). Finally, there was no significant difference in overall survival, but EOCRC group had statistically shorter disease-free survival than the LOCRC group (46.1 months versus 50.0 months, P < .001). Molecular analysis demonstrated rare genetic alterations in EOCRC in addition to APC, KRAS, and BRAF mutations.

Clinicopathologic Features of EOCRC and LOCRC

Clinicopathologic Features of EOCRC and LOCRC
Clinicopathologic Features of EOCRC and LOCRC

Conclusions: Our data reveal that EOCRC is prone to be lower grade in the left colon, but with advanced stages. Molecular findings further support its uniqueness compared to the late-onset group.

Plexiform Fibromyxoma Misdiagnosed as Leiomyoma

(Poster No. 52)

Hetal Gujaria, MD ([email protected]); Mary Wong, MD. Department of Pathology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland.

Plexiform fibromyxoma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor with a predilection for the gastric antrum. It presents in adults with abdominal pain, hematemesis, ulceration, and anemia and has no sex predilection. We present a case of a 64-year-old woman, who upon endoscopy was found to have a 30-mm subepithelial mass arising from the muscularis propria. There was positive Doppler flow within the mass. Fine-needle aspiration showed a low-grade spindle cell neoplasm positive for smooth muscle actin on immunohistochemistry, consistent with leiomyoma. Laparoscopic partial gastrectomy was performed owing to the difficulty in excising the mass in toto. Grossly multiple tan-white fragments were received with whorled cut surfaces. Microscopy showed an unencapsulated, multinodular mass with plexiform architecture composed of bland spindle cells (Figure 1.52, A and B), and inconspicuous nucleoli, dissecting through the bundles of muscularis propria. The nodules were separated by prominent myxohyaline stroma. Mitotic figures were rare to absent. The spindle cells showed partial immunoreactivity for smooth muscle actin (Figure 1.52, C) and caldesmon (Figure 1.52, D), and were negative for SOX10, S100, CD117, DOG1, CKCKT, CAM 5.2, and ALK1, consistent with the diagnosis. Although gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and leiomyomas are more commonly observed mesenchymal tumors in the antrum, they rarely have myxoid stroma. Leiomyomas are rarely multinodular, and myxoid GISTs are well circumscribed rather than plexiform. Thus, though rare, it is worthwhile to consider this benign tumor in the differential diagnosis at this location, as it follows a much less aggressive course than GIST and does not recur.

An Interesting Case of a Rare Variant of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma With Unique Features

(Poster No. 53)

Maria Kamal, MD ([email protected]); Wenyi Luo, MD, PhD. Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a challenging diagnosis because of highly variable morphology and nonspecific immunohistochemical profile. We report a rare variant of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with unique features. A 63-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain. CT of abdomen/pelvis revealed a right posterior lobe liver mass. The patient underwent a right posterior hepatectomy. Grossly, a well-defined pale-tan mass (11.5×10.3×6.0 cm) was identified. Microscopy showed a well-circumscribed tumor composed of monotonous columnar cells forming glands and acini with proteinaceous luminal secretions (Figure 1.53, A) in a noncirrhotic liver background. No cytoplasmic or luminal mucin was identified. Albumin in situ hybridization was positive, consistent with intrahepatic primary. No definitive hepatocellular carcinoma component was identified. Cytokeratin 7 and cytokeratin 19 positivity supported biliary differentiation. The tumor was diffusely inhibin positive and patchily synaptophysin positive (Figure 1.53, B and C). Focal acinar differentiation was demonstrated by trypsin positivity (Figure 1.53, D), not reported before. Extensive immunohistochemical workup excluded other liver primary tumors and possible metastasis. These findings are consistent with solid-tubulocystic variant of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a rare tumor seen in young females, characterized by positivity of inhibin and neuroendocrine markers. Fewer than 10 cases have been reported so far. This is a potentially aggressive tumor with misleadingly low-grade morphology, and accurate diagnosis is important to avoid undertreatment. Comparative genomic sequencing in our case and targeted next-generation sequencing in previously published cases did not identify recurrent chromosomal or genomic alteration. However, peculiar morphology, strong inhibin expression, and female preference are suggestive of specific molecular alteration. More detailed molecular studies are being conducted to further characterize this tumor.

Unusual Presentation of Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma to the Shoulder

(Poster No. 54)

Juhi D. Mahadik, MD1 ([email protected]); Ryan Fernandez, MD2; Nisha Ramani, MD.1 Departments of 1Pathology and Immunology and 2Diagnostic Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Its clinical presentation can be highly variable, and metastases to uncommon sites have been reported. However, HCC presenting as a large metastasis in the absence of a liver mass is rare. A 56-year-old man with a history of hepatitis C presented with back pain for a year. He also noticed swelling on his right shoulder and numbness of his lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large heterogeneous mass (14.7 × 12 × 9.4 cm) in the right shoulder (Figure 1.54, A). Biopsy of the shoulder mass showed metastatic well-differentiated HCC (Figure 1.54, B). Tumor cells were positive for arginase (Figure 1.54, C), HepPar-1, and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 (focal), while negative for glypican-3, AFP, S100, synaptophysin, CK7, and CK20, confirming the morphologic impression of HCC. Subsequently, abdominal magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which did not reveal any hepatic masses/lesions (Figure 1.54, D). Serum α-fetoprotein level was normal. The patient also had large lumbar spinal metastasis and is currently receiving palliative radiation to his shoulder and spine. This case highlights an intriguing presentation of HCC as a shoulder mass in the absence of a liver primary tumor or elevated biomarkers. Metastatic HCC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of large masses at unusual sites, particularly in patients with hepatitis C, even when a primary tumor is not identified on imaging.

A Rare Case of Extranodal Rosai-Dorfman Disease Presenting as a Gallbladder Mass

(Poster No. 55)

Jamie J. Shah, DO ([email protected]); Cynthia N. Giraldo, MD; Allen R. Holmes, MD; Thomas A. Adams, MD. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, San Antonio, Texas.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare form of nonclonal histiocytosis characterized by an expansion of non–Langerhans cell histiocytes and emperipolesis. RDD typically presents in adolescents and is commonly found in cervical lymph nodes. However, extranodal involvement is not uncommon and this may mimic other neoplasms or reactive disease. Very limited cases of extranodal RDD to the gallbladder have been reported in the literature. We present a case of a 37-year-old woman with a past medical history of extranodal RDD to her breast. She presented to the emergency department with a 10-day history of right upper quadrant abdominal pain. She was noted to have cholelithiasis and a mildly dilated bile duct on imaging and subsequently underwent a cholecystectomy. A masslike lesion involving the gallbladder body and proximal fundus was identified, measuring 3.8 cm in maximum dimension. On histology, the mass showed stroma with an abundant mixed inflammatory infiltrate and histiocytes. Foci of histiocytes demonstrated emperipolesis (Figure 1.55, A and B) and were highlighted with S100 (Figure 1.55, C), CD163 (Figure 1.55, D), and CD68 immunohistochemical stains. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of extranodal RDD to the gallbladder. This is an unusual presentation of extranodal RDD occurring in the absence of nodal disease. Although the prognosis of RDD is generally favorable, extranodal disease may have a worse prognosis. Complications of extranodal disease are typically due to mass effect or parenchymal involvement. Extranodal RDD to the gallbladder represents an extremely rare condition and should be included in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder neoplasms.

Incidental Small and Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Gallbladder With Associated Intracholecystic Papillary Neoplasm

(Poster No. 56)

Jack Harbert, MD ([email protected]); Jihuan Chen, MD, PhD; Tracy Dewenter, MD. Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans.

Gallbladder neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare and aggressive, comprising 4% of gallbladder malignancies with a 5-year survival rate of 20%. Owing to its exceedingly scant presence in the literature, we present a case of a small and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder associated with an intracholecystic papillary neoplasm (ICPN). A 65-year-old woman underwent abdominal imaging revealing an incidental gallbladder polyp for which a cholecystectomy was performed. Upon gross examination, a single, white, firm 17-mm fundal polyp was noted with surrounding polyposis (25 × 13 mm). Most of the polyp was composed of sheets of large polygonal cells with ample cytoplasm, prominent nucleoli, moulded nuclei, and focal necrosis (Figure 1.56, A and B). An additional small cell component (~30% of tumor) was identified with traditional features, namely hypercellular organoid growth pattern with hyperchromatic, salt-and-pepper nuclei. Associated polyposis showed papillary growths of minimally atypical cuboidal mucosa with focal intestinal metaplasia (Figure 1.56, D). These lesions appear consistent with an ICPN of biliary morphology. Cystic duct lymph node showed lymphovascular invasion without identifiable direct extension. Immunohistochemical studies showed strong positivity for synaptophysin (Figure 1.56, C)with patchy positivity of CD56. Ki-67 proliferative index showed >90% positivity. Associated glandular tissue was positive for CK7, CAM 5.2, and Pan-CK, while malignant tissue was negative. All tissue was negative for chromogranin. A diagnosis of combined poorly differentiated large and small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma was made and subsequent staging radiologic studies were negative. The lesion was staged at pT2aN0, and chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and etoposide was initiated.

Plasmablastic Lymphoma of Gastrointestinal Tract: A Series of 10 Cases With the Largest Collection of 8 HIV-Negative Cases

(Poster No. 57)

Zhiyan Fu, MD1 ([email protected]); Nushani L. Jayaratne, MD3; Gregory Y. Lauwers, MD1; Kun Jiang, MD, PhD1; Lugen Chen, MD4; Ling Zhang, MD, PhD.2 Departments of 1Pathology and 2Hematopathology and Laboratory Medicine, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida; 3Department of Pathology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa; 4Department of Pathology, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida.

Context: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an uncommon but aggressive subtype of large B-cell lymphoma. The prototype is mainly found in the oral cavity, and frequently associated with HIV infection. Primary gastrointestinal PBL (GI PBL) is rare. Its unique immunophenotypic profile may be misleading, hampering an accurate diagnosis and proper clinical management. Our aim is to retrospectively analyze the clinicopathologic findings of GI PBL.

Design: GI PBL cases from 2008 to 2021 at our institution were searched. Clinical, pathologic, and laboratory data, and clinical course were reviewed.

Results: There were 10 patients confirmed with GI PBL (median age, 61 years; range, 39–92 years; 9 males). Patient demographic data and clinicopathologic features are summarized in the Table. The most common involved location was sigmoid colon (5, 50%). Sixty percent of patients showed isolated GI tract involvement. Two HIV-positive and 4 patients with chronic inflammatory and/or immunocompromised status (2 irritable bowel syndromes, 1 Crohn disease on treatment, and 1 status post kidney transplant) were identified. The mean follow-up duration for available patients was 18.9 months (range, 1.3–33 months). At the end of the follow-up, 62.5% (5 of 8) of patients showed complete remission (CR) after chemotherapy.

Summary of GI PBL Case Findings

Summary of GI PBL Case Findings
Summary of GI PBL Case Findings

Conclusions: GI PBL is rare and a heterogeneous disorder in terms of etiology and clinical course. Sigmoid colon is the most common and 60% were GI isolated site. Patients were often associated with immunosuppression. It seems to have a fair response to chemotherapy with or without resection. Awareness and recognition of this rare entity is warranted to reach a correct diagnosis and improve patient care.

Lymphoepithelial Cyst of Pancreas: Incidental Finding of a Benign but Rare Pancreatic Cyst in a 64-Year-Old Woman

(Poster No. 58)

Raghunath Ramanarasimhaiah, MD ([email protected]); Kiran, MD; Shahbaz Khan, MD; Kokila Mody, MD. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York.

Lymphoepithelial cyst of pancreas (LECP) is a benign and rare cystic lesion of pancreas. LECP is often an incidental finding during imaging. It can be confused with other cystic neoplastic lesions of pancreas. Herein, we present a case of a 64-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities who presented with abdominal pain. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed bilateral adnexal cystic lesions and an incidental 3.6-cm hypodense lesion in the tail of the pancreas (Figure 1.58, A). Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) were increased (5.8 ng/mL and 211 U/mL, respectively) but CA 19-9 was within normal range. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingooophorectomy for adnexal lesions and distal subtotal pancreatectomy with splenectomy for pancreatic lesion. Gross examination of the specimen revealed a unilocular cystic lesion measuring 3.8 cm, containing keratinous material. The cystic lesion was attached to the tail of the pancreas at its caudal surface but was not attached to the spleen (Figure 1.58, B). Histologic examination revealed a thin-walled cyst filled with keratinous material in the pancreatic tail near the splenic hilum (Figure 1.58, C and D). The cystic wall was formed by benign, mature, keratinizing squamous epithelium and surrounded by a cuff of benign mature lymphoid cells with few germinal centers. LECPs are benign and can be managed conservatively. We recommend that radiologic, serologic, and cytologic characteristics of LECP be reviewed carefully preoperatively to avoid more invasive treatment approaches like surgery.

Single-Institution Analysis of the Utility of Histopathologic Evaluation of Appendectomy Specimens

(Poster No. 59)

Varsha Prakash, MD ([email protected]); Charles E. Middleton, MD; Neha Varshney, MD. Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson.

Context: Appendectomy is one of the most performed surgical procedures worldwide. Although mostly mundane, the pathologic examination of the appendix may reveal an unexpected diagnosis. Our study aims to reveal the importance of routine histopathologic examination of appendectomy specimens by highlighting the unusual findings.

Design: A retrospective data review of all appendectomy procedures performed at our institution from September 2018 to September 2021 was performed. The surgical pathology report for each case was reviewed from our electronic medical record, and the findings were documented.

Results: A total of 793 appendectomy specimens were examined during the study period. Of the total specimens, acute appendicitis (663 cases, 83.6%) was the most common diagnosis, followed by no diagnostic alterations (75 cases, 9.5%) and mild lymphoid hyperplasia (32 cases, 4%). Unusual pathologic findings were identified in 23 cases (3%), which included sessile serrated lesion (4 cases), low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (4 cases), metastatic serous carcinoma (4 cases), endometriosis (2 cases), neuroendocrine carcinoma (2 cases), Enterobius vermicularis infection (2 cases), Burkitt lymphoma (1 case; Figure 1.59, A and B), metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (1 case; Figure 1.59, C and D), adenocarcinoma with mucinous features (1 case), mesothelial inclusion cyst (1 case), and noncaseating granuloma (1 case).

Conclusions: The routine microscopic evaluation of appendectomy specimens remains worthwhile, especially when there is a suspicion of malignancy. Additionally, intraoperative consultation should be used for identifying any unknown pathologic process. Identifying the unusual findings that mimic acute appendicitis will undoubtedly impact clinical practice.

The Pathology of Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Specimens Related to Injectable Submucosa Lifting Agents: An Institutional Experience

(Poster No. 60)

Mohana Sopanahalli Narasimhamurthy, MBBS ([email protected]); Yan Feng, MD, PhD; Hongxing Gui, MD, PhD; Franz Fogt, MD. Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia.

Context: Endoscopic mucosal resection is an important advance in therapeutic endoscopy, pioneered by Japanese endoscopists for removing flat sessile polyps. The technique involves expanding the submucosal space by injecting a solution to create optimal elevation to resect the lesion. Recently, gastrointestinal endoscopists started to use this technique at our institution. This study aims to review the pathologic changes produced by these injectable lifting agents.

Design: Twenty-seven endoscopic submucosal resection specimens and 1 interval surgical specimen with a history of lifting agent injection were included. Patient demographics and endoscopy reports were retrieved, and histologic slides were reviewed.

Results: Twenty-seven endoscopic submucosal resection specimens showed pale to dense amorphous eosinophilic material with giant cells resembling amyloid (Figure 1.60, A through D). Congo red was negative. One interval surgical specimen showed pale mucoid material with a cluster of pink hyalinized material associated with giant cell reaction with transmural extension. Congo red, mucicarmine, and AE1/3, CDX-2, and CK20 stains were negative.

Conclusions: Endoscopic submucosal resection uses injectable submucosal lifting agents to separate the lesion from the underlying connective tissue and thus mitigate perforation and bleeding. Several solutions have been tried, including a submucosal injectable gel marketed as ORISE (Boston Scientific) and methylene blue. These injectable lifting agents create some degree of artifact that may be mistaken for other pathologies like amyloid and mucin with a variable amount of giant cell reaction on routine H&E sections. Familiarity with these artifacts in the appropriate clinical context will help to avoid misinterpretation and unnecessary additional studies.

Helicobacter pylori–Associated Gastric Hyperplastic Polyposis With Synchronous Gastric Adenocarcinomas and Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue in a Single Gastrectomy Specimen: Case Report With Literature Review

(Poster No. 61)

Liz Yang, MD ([email protected]); Fernanda Da Silva Lameira, MD; Wenjing Qiu, MD, PhD; Rachna Jetly, MD, MPH. Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans.

Synchronous gastric extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (ENMZL) and carcinoma (GC) are rare, even though Helicobacter pylori is a risk for both. Endoscopic distinction and sampling in a background of inflammation may be difficult and diagnosis more likely occurs on gastrectomy, a possible reason for the low reported incidence rates. We present a case of an incidental ENMZL in a gastrectomy for GC and multiple polyps. A 68-year-old man with constipation, abdominal distention, and polyposis on gastric endoscopy had a few polypectomies. A 3.2-cm gastric-body adenoma with tubular GC prompted a partial gastrectomy demonstrating numerous hyperplastic polyps (0.2–3.2 cm) (Figure 1.61, A) with intestinal metaplasia; an antral poorly differentiated tubular GC (Figure 1.61, B) invading the submucosa and metastatic to regional lymph nodes; multifocal ENMZL infiltrates, CD5/CD10/CD20+/CD43+, with clonal immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene rearrangement (Figure 1.61, C and D); and Helicobacter-associated chronic active gastritis. In one study, incidence of synchronous GC and gastric lymphoma was 0.08%. Another retrospective study reports synchronous tumors in 8.3% of GCs and 20.0% of ENMZL cases. ENMZL preceding GC is postulated, since a high proportion of GCs are early stage in synchronous tumors. Metachronous GC risk after a new ENZML diagnosis is increased per long-term US population-based and Dutch histopathology registry–based studies (4.3 and 6 times, respectively). Latency periods vary from 6 months to 5 years. Helicobacter eradication can cause ENMZL regression; however, GC risk remains increased and ENZML-targeted chemotherapies confer additional risk. Long-term follow-up guidelines to detect early GC in ENZML are conflicting and require consensus.

Strongyloides stercoralis Infection Mimicking Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Patient Status Post Steroid Treatment for COVID-19 Infection

(Poster No. 62)

Sepideh Besharati, MD ([email protected]); Michael J. Lee, MD; Huaibin M. Ko, MD. Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.

Strongyloides stercoralis is a parasitic nematode estimated to infect 30–100 million people worldwide; it is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent people. Disseminated infection typically affects immunocompromised patients and may rarely present with diffuse colitis, mimicking inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We report a case of a 46-year-old woman from the Dominican Republic without prior history of immunodeficiency who was admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain and dark stool. Laboratory results showed anemia, leukocytosis, and positive COVID-19 PCR test result. Imaging showed pancolitis and diffuse perihilar ground glass opacities in the lungs. She received oxygen therapy, antibiotics, and dexamethasone for COVID-19 infection. Initial sigmoidoscopy revealed mild inflammation from sigmoid to distal transverse colon. However, her clinical course worsened with rapid decline in mental status, abdominal distention and tenderness, and shock. She was intubated and an emergency total colectomy was performed in the setting of toxic megacolon. Gross examination of the surgical specimen revealed diffuse ileocolitis. On histology, innumerable nematodes were identified within ileal and colonic crypts, submucosa, and within submucosal and subserosal lymphatics, consistent with disseminated Strongyloides stercoralis ileocolitis (Figure 1.62, A and B). Nematodes with associated granulomatous reaction were identified (Figure 1.62, C). Multiple reactive lymph nodes, some with nematode organisms within lymphatic channels, were seen (Figure 1.62, D). Diffuse Strongyloides ileocolitis may mimic IBD and present after dexamethasone treatment for COVID-19 infection in immunocompetent individuals. Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, the possibility of asymptomatic Strongyloides infection should be considered in patients with travel or migration from endemic areas who require dexamethasone for COVID-19 treatment.

Histopathologic Changes in Liver in a Case of Turner Syndrome With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

(Poster No. 63)

Macy Cummins, BA1 ([email protected]); Natalie Bhesania, MD2; Neha Varshney, MD.3 1School of Medicine, Departments of 2Pediatric Gastroenterology and 3Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson.

Turner syndrome (TS) is one of the most frequent inherited diseases in females that results from the total or partial loss of the X chromosome. Clinically, this syndrome is characterized by short stature, dysmorphic features, gonadal dysgenesis, and congenital heart and renal malformations. TS is often associated with hepatic manifestations that could be minimal abnormalities, steatosis, steatohepatitis, or even cirrhosis. Histologic changes include parenchymal nodules with or without intranodular fibrosis, abnormal arteries and ductules, and intrahepatic portal vein changes such as intimal thickening or replacement by fibrous scar containing numerous vessels. Hepatic changes of TS have been associated with vascular disorders of congenital origin and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Our case involves liver involvement in a 16-year-old adolescent girl with TS, hypoplastic left heart syndrome (status post Fontan), and recent cholecystectomy due to cholelithiasis. Additionally, ultrasonography determined increased hepatic echogenicity and coarsened echotexture; patent and normal direction of flow was found in hepatic vasculature. The median stiffness of the liver was 9.8 kPa, suggestive of compensated advanced chronic liver disease. At the time of cholecystectomy, the liver was found to be large, nodular, and congested with frank liver fibrosis, precipitating the recommendation for liver biopsy. Microscopic examination of biopsy revealed moderate sinusoidal dilation (Figure 1.63, A), extensive glycogenated nuclei, bile ductular proliferation, patchy arterialization (Figure 1.63, B), and no inflammation, steatosis, or fibrosis. It is unknown if the hepatologic changes in this patient are due to Fontan circulation or TS. Understanding these subtle histologic changes in such syndromes are crucial for optimal patient care.

Pseudomelanosis Duodeni in a Patient With Renal Transplant and Immunosuppression: A New Association

(Poster No. 64)

Imran Ajmal, MD ([email protected]); Hardik Sonani, MD; Neha Varshney, MD. Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson.

Melanosis coli is a common asymptomatic finding on colonoscopy and histologically characterized by deposition of dark melanin-like pigment (lipofuscin) in colonic macrophages that has been attributed to long-term laxative use. Melanosis in the upper gastrointestinal tract is termed pseudomelanosis. In these pigmented lesions, melanoma is a diagnostic pitfall, and the index of suspicion should be high. We report a case of pseudomelanosis duodeni in a 66-year-old woman with a past medical history of hypertension, heart failure, and status post deceased donor renal transplant caused by diabetic nephropathy, and taking tacrolimus and mycophenolate, who presented with chronic dry cough concerning for gastroesophageal disease. The patient reported no acute complaints, including dysphagia, abdominal pain, hematemesis, hematochezia, and melena. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed and revealed diffuse mucosal changes characterized by dark discoloration and found in the entire duodenum (Figure 1.64, B). Microscopic examination of the duodenal biopsy showed coarse black pigment in the lamina propria of the duodenum with aggregates of pigment-laden macrophages consistent with pseudomelanosis duodeni (Figure 1.64, A). The duodenum was otherwise unremarkable with preserved villous architecture and no intraepithelial lymphocytes. Although the exact etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical significance remains unknown, it has been reportedly associated with the use of certain medications (including hydralazine, thiazide diuretics, furosemide, beta-blockers, and iron supplements), hypertension, chronic renal disease, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and diabetes mellitus. Pathologists should be aware of this rare entity and its emerging associations to make an accurate diagnosis that would help new studies and better understanding of its diagnostic and prognostic significance.

Pathologic Characterization of Intractable Diarrhea Resulting From Vismodegib Treatment for Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome (Gorlin Syndrome)

(Poster No. 65)

Haneen T. Salah, MD1 ([email protected]); Ashmi Patel, MS2; Remi K. Hamel, MD3; Elizabeth L. Hall, MD3; Suzanne M. Crumley, MD1; Karen L. Woods, MD4; Leonard H. Goldberg, MD.3 Departments of 1Pathology and Genomic Medicine and 2Texas A&M College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas; 3Department of Dermatology, Houston Methodist Hospital and DermSurgery Associates, Houston, Texas; 4Department of Gastroenterology, Underwood Center for Digestive Disorders and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, and most cases are slow growing and effectively treated with surgery, topical, or radiation therapy. However, BCCs can be aggressive and locally advanced (laBCC) or metastatic (mBCC), rendering conventional treatment inadequate. Vismodegib is an FDA-approved systemic hedgehog inhibitor used to treat laBCC and mBCC, including the multiple BCCs found in Gorlin syndrome. Common adverse effects ( 15% incidence) of vismodegib include muscle spasms, alopecia, weight loss, nausea, and diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common adverse effect, with 25% of patients experiencing diarrhea while receiving vismodegib therapy. Clinical studies have outlined the severity and the onset of vismodegib-associated diarrhea; however, pathologic findings have not been previously described. We present a case of a 62-year-old man with Gorlin syndrome and a 10-year history of vismodegib use who experienced intractable diarrhea requiring suspension of vismodegib use. Colonoscopy showed diffuse ileal congestion, colonic mucosa granularity, punctate erosions, and exudate. Biopsies showed active ileitis, villous blunting, diffuse chronic inflammation, crypt architectural distortion, epithelial apoptosis, and crypt abscesses. Temporary suspension of vismodegib resulted in the resolution of the patient's symptoms. In conclusion, vismodegib is an important treatment for patients with Gorlin syndrome. Diarrhea is a frequently encountered adverse event of vismodegib, and physicians should consider vismodegib-induced diarrhea in a patient with no signs of infectious or ischemic etiology. Recognizing these findings in association with vismodegib therapy is also important to prevent misdiagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease.

Prognostic Factors of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei: A Single-Institution Study

(Poster No. 66)

Changzhao Li, MD, PhD1 ([email protected]); Dali Huang, MBBS1; Dongpo Salas, MD1; Ryan Walters, PhD2; Nicholas Dietz, MD.1 Departments of 1Pathology and 2Clinical Research and Public Health, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.

Context: Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare malignancy characterized by extensive mucinous lesions in the peritoneal cavity, causing significant morbidity and mortality. This study aims to explore the pathologic or molecular prognostic factors for PMP.

Design: Twenty-five cases of PMP were identified from our archives. Parameters including histologic grade, presence of signet ring cells, Ki-67 index, and PTEN expression were analyzed and correlated with disease recurrence/progression, postsurgery survival, and overall survival.

Results: The cases were composed of 60% (n = 15) low-grade and 40% (n = 10) high-grade PMP. Forty percent (n = 10) of patients had signet ring cells either at the time of diagnosis or during the clinical course; 76% (n = 19) had Ki-67 labeling index of at least 20%. For PTEN expression, the median score was 180 (140–200) for cytoplasmic expression and 100 (20–190) for nuclear expression. Statistical analysis identified histologic grade and signet ring cells (Figure 1.66) as significant prognostic factors for postsurgery survival and overall survival. The risk of mortality for high-grade PMP is 7.9 times (P = .02; 95% CI, 1.5–42.2) higher than for low-grade PMP. Seventy percent (n = 7) of patients with signet ring cells died of the disease as compared to 7.1% (n = 1) of patients without signet ring cells (P = .002). The risk of mortality showed a trend decrease of 10% for every 10-point increase of PTEN cytoplasmic score (P = .09; 95% CI, 0.80–1.02). Ki-67 index showed no effects on survival.

Conclusions: Histologic grade and signet ring cells are prognostic factors for PMP. PTEN cytoplasmic score might be a novel prognostic marker in the future pending large-scale study.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Presenting as Primary Disseminated Peritoneal “Gistomatosis”

(Poster No. 67)

Andreas Kontosis, MD ([email protected]); Thanchanok Chaiprasit, MD; Elnaz Panah, MD; Geoffrey Chen, MS; Xiuxu Chen, MD, PhD; Xianzhong Ding, MD, PhD. Department of Pathology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract, can occur anywhere in the GI tract. Infrequently, they can arise outside of the alimentary tract, such as in the omentum or mesentery, and they are named extragastrointestinal GISTs. In 10% of the cases, they are primarily disseminated. We present the case of a 68-year-old man with a past medical history of superficial spreading stage 1A melanoma with complaints of anorexia, fatigue, and weight loss during a period of 2 months. Physical examination revealed palpable nodularity in the right side of the abdomen. CT of the abdomen reported “innumerable” mesenteric and peritoneal nodules, with an overall appearance of extensive abdominal, pelvic, and peritoneal malignancy. Fine-needle aspiration of US-guided biopsies showed polygonal cells, with ample, finely vacuolated cytoplasm. As the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly and the abdomen became distended with signs of colonic ischemia, explorative laparotomy was performed with findings of diffuse implants in the omentum, mesentery (Figure 1.67, A and B), and ischemia of the colon. Histopathology revealed numerous tumor nodules in the omentum, the small bowel, and the colon, confined in the serosa and subserosa with no obvious involvement of smooth muscle (Figure 1.67, C). Tumor cells were diffusely positive for CD117 (Figure 1.67, D) and DOG-1 with retention of SDH-B, which is consistent with peritoneal GIST. The unique feature of this case is primary disseminated peritoneal GIST with numerous solid tumor nodules, which we define as primary peritoneal “gistomatosis.” This rare condition can be clinically misinterpreted as peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Jejunal Solitary Peutz-Jeghers Polyp With Accompanying Neuroendocrine Tumor in an Adult Patient

(Poster No. 68)

Sachie Ikegami, MD, PhD ([email protected]); Jiang Wang, MD, PhD. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hamartomatous polyps of gastrointestinal tract are rare in adults. They can occur sporadically or as a part of hereditary syndromes. We report a case of a solitary Peutz-Jeghers polyp (PjP) accompanied with neuroendocrine tumor (NT) in the small intestine. Our patient was a 57-year-old man who presented to the emergency department owing to abdominal pain and hematochezia. CT scan revealed a small-bowel intussusception with an enhancing nodular lead point. A jejunal mass was visualized by follow-up imaging and was subsequently resected. Grossly, a 3.0 × 2.8 × 2.5-cm white-tan, well-circumscribed, pedunculated polypoid mucosal mass was identified. Histologically, the mass consisted of crypts and villi of varying lengths divided by abnormal arborizing smooth muscle bundles within the lamina propria, which were branched out from the center of the lesion. The histologic features were consistent with PjP. No dysplasia was present. Given an absence of clinical features of polyposis syndromes in this patient and his family, this lesion was considered to be a sporadic solitary PjP. In addition, a 0.6-cm nodule was incidentally found at the edge of the jejunum. It was composed of nests of monotonous round cells that were immunopositive for synaptophysin and chromogranin, and Ki-67 labeled 1% of tumor cells, confirming grade 1 NT. Sporadic PjP is generally considered not to confer an increased risk of malignancy and no associations have been reported between sporadic PjP and NT in the literature; hence, this case signifies the value of further investigation of the relationship between sporadic PjP and NT (Figure 1.68, A through D).

Clinical and Pathologic Correlation of Gastric Amyloidosis: A 10-Year Single-Institute Retrospective Experience

(Poster No. 69)

Swachi Jain, MBBS ([email protected]); Corey Chang, MD; Taisia Vitkovski, DO; Rebecca Thomas, MD; Arvind Rishi, MD. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra, Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York.

Context: Subclinical gastric amyloidosis has been reported in up to 8% of patients with systemic amyloidosis. It is frequently not clinically suspected and detected incidentally on biopsy. We report a clinicopathologic correlative series of gastric amyloidosis detected on endoscopic biopsies.

Design: This is a retrospective review of gastric biopsies with amyloidosis performed at a tertiary care institute from 2012 to 2021. Chart review with clinical, histologic, and endoscopic correlation was performed.

Results: Thirteen cases of gastric amyloidosis were identified with age range of 44–85 years and male predominance (5.5:1; Table). Most common symptom was dysphagia followed by early satiety and abdominal pain. Endoscopic findings were available in 11 cases and showed erosions (63.6%), erythema (18.8%), infiltrative lesion (9.1%), and normal mucosa (9.1%). Intragastric distribution was antrum (54%), gastric body (30.7%), and diffuse gastric involvement (15.3%). Additional involved sites were duodenum (57.4%), gastroesophageal junction (28.4%), and colon (14.2%). Extragastrointestinal involvement was identified in 4 cases with heart and kidney being most common, followed by liver, skin, and eye. Mass spectroscopy available in 7 cases showed AL-type amyloid (71%), transthyretin amyloidosis (14.5%), and AA type (14.5%). Clinical follow-up revealed 6 patients had multiple myeloma, of which 50% were diagnosed following the gastric biopsy. Four patients died within 1 year of biopsy with diagnosis of multiple myeloma (n = 2), gastric marginal zone lymphoma (n = 1), and ATTR amyloidosis (n = 1).

Clinicopathologic Correlation of Gastric Amyloidosis

Clinicopathologic Correlation of Gastric Amyloidosis
Clinicopathologic Correlation of Gastric Amyloidosis

Conclusions: Gastric amyloidosis is extremely rare and may be the first detection of an underlying systemic disorder or hematologic malignancy. Endoscopic and clinical findings are frequently nonspecific. Regular clinical follow-up is highly recommended to detect associated plasma cell dyscrasia for early initiation of treatment.

Atypical Spindle Cell/Pleomorphic Lipomatous Tumor of the Rectum

(Poster No. 70)

Javier A. Baena-Del Valle, MD1 ([email protected]); Daniela M. Bertel-Rodriguez, MD2; Rafael García-Duperly, MD3; Mauricio A. Palau-Lá zaro, MD.4 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Fundacion Santa Fe de Bogota University Hospital, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogota, Colombia; 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Centro Hospitalario Serena Del Mar, Cartagena, Colombia; Departments of 3Surgery and 4Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fundacion Santa Fe de Bogota University Hospital, Bogota, Colombia.

Atypical spindle cell/pleomorphic lipomatous tumor (ASCLT) is a recently described neoplasm characterized by lipoma-like appearance but with atypical and spindle cell histologic features. It typically arises in the subcutis and soft tissue, as visceral locations are exceedingly rare. We present a case of a 55-year-old woman who underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy for dyspepsia. A yellow-tan 1.3-cm polypoid submucosal lesion with short and broad-based stalk was found in the rectum. An endoscopic resection was performed. Microscopy showed a predominantly well-differentiated adipocytic component with a smaller proportion of lipoblasts, and pleomorphic and multinucleated cells in a fibrous matrix (Figure 1.70, A through C). No necrosis or mitosis was identified. Tumor cells were positive for CD34 (Figure 1.70, D) and S100, and negative for MDM2 and CDK4. The Ki-67 proliferation rate was <5%. ASCLTs mostly occur in middle-aged adults with a slight male preference and a variable size (up to 28 cm). They have an indolent behavior with no or very low rate of local recurrence, and no risk for dedifferentiation or metastasis. To avoid aggressive surgical resections, we must always exclude atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma, pleomorphic liposarcoma, and low-grade dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Immunohistochemistry helps in this situation, since even though weak and focal expression of MDM2 and CDK4 may be seen, it does not occur in combination. Also, loss of Rb expression is frequently seen (79%). To our knowledge, this is the first report of an ASCLT presenting in the colorectum. Only 3 visceral cases have been previously described (trachea/larynx, stomach, and appendix).

Congenital Loss of Serine Peptidase Inhibitor, Kunitz Type 2 (SPINT2) Presenting With Primary Immune Deficiency and Infantile Indeterminate Colitis Concerning for Early Inflammatory Bowel Disease

(Poster No. 71)

John Daines, BS ([email protected]); Mai He, MD, PhD. Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.

A well-documented feature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is impaired gut sodium transport. When intestinal sodium absorption is inhibited, dysbiosis of the gut microbiome is thought to occur, precipitating an inappropriate mucosal immune response. It is not known whether this impaired sodium absorption is a byproduct or a possible upstream agent of IBD pathogenesis. Congenital absence of serine peptidase inhibitor, Kunitz type 2 (SPINT2) causes congenital sodium diarrhea, presenting as chronic diarrhea with high sodium content and syndromic features. Histologically, this presents with tufting enteropathy. Inactivation of SPINT2 downregulates intestinal epithelial sodium channel activity. A nonsyndromic infant presented at 6 months of age with chronic, bloody diarrhea and new-onset respiratory distress. Workup revealed Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, low B-cell counts, undetectable IgG, IgE, IgA, and very low IgM levels. Results of gastrointestinal workup for infectious etiologies were negative. Endoscopy showed vesicles and erythematous, ulcerated mucosa in the colon (Figure 1.71, A and B). Biopsy revealed active colitis with cryptitis, crypt abscesses, and no tufting enteropathy (Figure 1.71, C and D). Full exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous SPINT2 startloss mutation (c.3G>A) along with several variants of undetermined clinical significance in C2, KMT2D, NFKB2, POLE, RORC, TCF3, and TCN2. The cause of the infant's immunodeficiency is currently unknown. Prasad and Visweswariah proposed that impaired intestinal sodium transport alters the luminal ionic milieu, causing dysbiosis of the microbiome and an aberrant gut immune response. We report a case supportive of their hypothesis with evidence of infantile colitis concerning for early-onset IBD in the setting of SPINT2 loss of function.

Chronic Ulcerative Pancolitis Associated With Partial DiGeorge Syndrome

(Poster No. 72)

Thanchanok Chaiprasit, MD ([email protected]); Andreas Kontosis, MD; Elnaz Panah, MD; Geoffrey Chen, MS; Xiuxu Chen, MD, PhD; Xianzhong Ding, MD, PhD. Department of Pathology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois.

Classic DiGeorge syndrome caused by a microdeletion in chromosome 22q is characterized by multisystem abnormalities including profound immunodeficiency. A striking histologic finding is a marked reduction/absence of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the gastrointestinal tract with frequent association of infections. In contrast, patients with partial DiGeorge anomaly are only mildly immunocompromised owing to thymic hypoplasia, and autoimmune diseases might be seen as a major clinical presentation. Our case involves a 20-year-old woman with partial DiGeorge syndrome who presented with a history of intermittent foulsmelling diarrhea, hematochezia, abdominal pain, weight loss, and persistent oral sores. Her fecal calprotectin was markedly elevated (4630 μg/mg). Her serum immunoglobulin was low owing to partial DiGeorge syndrome. CT imaging revealed colonic wall thickening, predominantly in the transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon and mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Colonic biopsies exhibited active chronic diffuse pancolitis featuring cryptitis, crypt abscesses, basal lymphoplasmacytosis, and crypt architecture disarray, which is consistent with ulcerative colitis. The patient's clinical symptoms improved on mesalamine therapy. This case nicely illustrates an early onset of chronic ulcerative pancolitis due to partial DiGeorge syndrome–related immune dysfunction. Although DiGeorge syndrome has a broad clinical presentation, including a myriad of gastrointestinal manifestations, inflammatory bowel diseases have not been commonly associated as one of them. It is crucial to maintain a high index of suspicion for a prompt and accurate diagnosis.

Rare Colonic Spindle Cell Tumors in a Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Patient

(Poster No. 73)

Mine M. Yilmaz, MD ([email protected]); Huaibin M. Ko, MD. Department of Pathology, Columbia University, New York, New York.

Epstein-Barr virus–associated smooth muscle tumors (EBV-SMTs) are a rare entity occurring predominantly in immunocompromised patients, mostly in the setting of solid organ transplant or HIV. Histologically, EBV-SMTs are well-differentiated smooth muscle tumors with little atypia and lowmitotic activity, resembling leiomyomas. In this case study, we discuss the case of a 4-year-old girl with anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) status post heart transplant at 7 months of age who presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea and was found to have multiple scattered polypoid lesions in the colon (Figure 1.73, A). Biopsies of the polyps showed fragments of colonic mucosa with spindle cell tumor involving mucosa and submucosa (Figure 1.73, B). Immunohistochemical studies revealed the tumor to be positive for SMA, SMMS-1 (Figure 1.73, D), and caldesmon. Epstein-Barr–encoded RNA in situ hybridization (EBER-ISH; Figure 1.73, C) was strongly positive, confirming the diagnosis of EBV-SMT. She was treated with rituximab (given significant EBV viremia), and tacrolimus monotherapy was maintained with a goal of 3–5 ng/mL. Resolution of the abdominal pain and diarrhea was achieved, and the patient is now undergoing surveillance. EBV-SMT is an uncommon, underrecognized but distinct clinicopathologic entity that occurs in the setting of immunosuppression. In the pediatric population, EBV-SMT has been reported to occur in the brain, lung, liver, spleen, adrenal gland, lymph nodes, soft tissue, and extremities. Multiple scattered polypoid lesions in the colon are an atypical presentation. Hence, regardless of the location and age, a smooth muscle lesion in an immunocompromised patient should prompt consideration for EBV-SMT, and EBER-ISH should be performed.

Collagenous Gastritis in the Pediatric Population: A Single-Institution Experience

(Poster No. 74)

Jeffery Jean, MD1 ([email protected]); Meifang Wu, MD2; Christopher LePhong, DO3; Moe Takeda, MD3; Yinan Fu, MD4; Shengmei Zhou, MD3; Larry Wang, MD3; Ali Nael, MD3; Nick M. Shillingford, MD.3 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, LAC+USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; Departments of 3Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and 4Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, California.

Context: Collagenous gastritis (CG), an extremely rare disorder in children, is characterized by gastric mucosa with subepithelial collagenous bands and inflammation. Two phenotypes have been described: adult-onset CG, which is associated with collagenous colitis (CC), chronic diarrhea, and weight loss; and pediatric-onset CG (POCG), which usually presents with abdominal pain and iron-deficiency anemia. Prior studies showed that the colon is seldom involved in POCG.

Design: We performed a retrospective review of our patients diagnosed with CG between 2010 and 2022. Information on demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory results, endoscopic findings, and histopathologic features were analyzed.

Results: Seven patients were diagnosed with CG during the period. Four (57%) were female. Most (6, 86%) were Hispanic. Five patients (71%) presented with abdominal pain. Six (86%) had a history of irondeficiency anemia. Mucosal erythema and nodularity were seen in 6 of 7 (86%) by endoscopy. Microscopically, all gastric biopsies showed prominent subepithelial collagenous bands, >10 μm (Figure 1.74, A) highlighted with Masson trichrome (Figure 1.74, B). Two biopsies (29%) also showed chronic active gastritis, while 3 (43%) showed increased eosinophils (Figure 1.74, C). Two of the 4 patients with colonoscopies had concomitant CC (Figure 1.74, D). Three patients (43%) did not have coloscopies.

Conclusions: In conclusion, while rare, CG is an important differential diagnosis in children with abdominal pain and anemia. Furthermore, contrary to earlier reports, a subset of POCG is associated with collagenous colitis, and colonic biopsies may be warranted. Additional studies are necessary to determine whether there is an ethnic predisposition given the prevalence of Hispanic patients in our cohort.

Biliary Adenofibroma of the Liver With High-Grade Dysplasia and Progression to Invasive Adenocarcinoma

(Poster No. 75)

Marcela Mejia-Arango, MD ([email protected]); Johanna Alvarez-Figueroa, MD; Rocio Lopez-Panqueva, MD. Department of Pathology and Laboratories, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá–Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.

Biliary adenofibroma is an unusual liver tumor. Malignant transformation is rare, and to our knowledge, fewer than 25 cases have been reported in the literature. We present a case of an 83-year-old man who underwent laparoscopic hepatic resection after a CT scan showed an incidental irregular mass localized in segments II–III of the liver, predominantly multicystic, and subcapsular. Clinically, the lesion was suspected to be benign. The specimen was received for frozen section. Grossly the tumor was a subcapsular, well-defined, unencapsulated, predominantly microcystic, white-tan mass measuring 3.5 cm in diameter (Figure 1.75, A). Two fragments were submitted for frozen section and an intraoperative diagnosis of an adenomatous lesion with at least high-grade dysplasia was rendered. The lesion was submitted in total, and histology showed a mass composed of multiple glandular structures of different sizes, some with cystic change, and others with a more complex architecture, embedded in an abundant fibrotic stroma (Figure 1.75, B). The epithelial lining was composed of a simple layer of cubical to low columnar, nonmucinous cells, with no or little atypia in most of the lesion, but in multiple foci there was a progression of atypia from low-grade dysplasia to high-grade dysplasia (Figure 1.75, C) and foci of invasive adenocarcinoma up to 5 mm in diameter (Figure 1.75, D). The diagnosis of this unusual tumor is a challenge, especially upon frozen section, and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of primary lesions of the liver. Although malignant transformation is unusual, it must be assessed in every case.

Is the Mutational Landscape of Gastric Adenocarcinoma Distinct in the Setting of Helicobacter pylori Infection?

(Poster No. 76)

Caitlyn J. Smith, BS ([email protected]); Deepthi S. Rao, MD, MS. Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia.

Context:Helicobacter pylori is a gastric pathogen that colonizes approximately 50% of the world's population. Infection with H pylori is the most substantial known risk factor for gastric cancer, yet its impact on driver mutations in gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) is largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the multifactorial role of H pylori on driver mutations, survival outcomes, and family history in patients with GA.

Design: Using the cBioPortal platform and systematic bioinformatical analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Firehouse Legacy data for stomach adenocarcinoma, 188 GA patients with H pylori testing were included in this study. Of these, 168 and 20 were H pylori–negative and H pylori–positive GA patients, respectively.

Results: The mutational landscape of H pylori–associated GA was distinct with statistically significant alterations in PCCA, SELE, PON1, SCNN1D, MCF2L, TRIM42, ATAD3C, FOXP2, GHRH, and GORAB driver mutation frequency (Figure 1.76). Further, the median overall survival for H pylori–positive GA patients was 42.5 months (95% CI, 22.17–NA) compared to 57.39 months (95% CI, 35.97–NA) for H pylori–negative GA patients. Additionally, a positive family history of stomach cancer was noted in 70.59% of H pylori–negative patients compared to 29.4% of H pylori–positive patients (P = .02).

Conclusions: The findings in this study highlight the complex multifactorial role of H pylori infection in GA. Further studies are essential for understanding the molecular and pathophysiologic impact of H pylori infection on functions of key genes that exert carcinogenic potential.

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Gastric Ulceration: Case Series

(Poster No. 77)

Caitlyn J. Smith, BS ([email protected]); Deepthi S. Rao, MD, MS. Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia.

Context: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for approximately 3% of all adult malignancies. RCC has a propensity to metastasize along the hematogenous route. About 25% of patients with RCC have distant metastases at presentation. True gastrointestinal metastases, specifically to the gastric wall, have been rarely observed.

Design: A retrospective review of patient records between 2000 and 2020 was performed. After identifying cases, further investigation was performed to evaluate macroscopic findings, duration between initial diagnosis of primary and detection of gastric metastasis, tumor variant, tumor size, Fuhrman grade, capsular invasion, and margin status.

Results: Our investigation identified 4 RCC patients with gastric metastasis. M:F ratio was 2:2. The mean age was 58.3 years (range, 45–70 years). Remarkably, all 4 cases were clear cell variant of RCC and presented with gastric ulceration (Figure 1.77, A through C). The average time between initial diagnosis of RCC and gastric metastasis was 46.5 months. Three patients had previously undergone radical nephrectomy with no capsular invasion and clear margins, while 1 patient presented with a renal mass and concomitant gastric metastasis. The mean initial tumor size was 8.73 cm. Fuhrman grading of II/IV, III/IV, and IV/IV was noted in 1, 2, and 1 case, respectively.

Conclusions: Although gastric metastasis mostly appears to be a late event in the course of RCC, it can rarely be the initial presentation as evidenced in one of our cases. Given the high mortality rate, considering metastatic RCC in the differential diagnosis for gastric ulceration is imperative in patients with atypical morphology or clinical presentation.

The Prevalence of Histologic Acute Alcoholic Hepatitis in Explanted Liver and the Correlation With Pretransplant Abstinence

(Poster No. 78)

Lakshmisree Akhila Vemulakonda, MBBS ([email protected]); Priyanka Patil, MD. Department of Pathology, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York.

Context: The meaning of the term acute alcoholic hepatitis (AAH) is quite different for clinicians and pathologists. For clinicians, AAH refers to the clinical syndrome (fever, jaundice, abdominal pain, anorexia, leukocytosis, and coagulopathy) in alcoholic patients. Pathologists use this term based on the presence of certain histopathologic findings. We aim to identify the prevalence of histologic AAH in liver explants of patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We also aim to correlate histologic findings with clinical AAH and the pretransplant abstinence interval.

Design: After searching our database, a study group of 50 patients (undergoing transplant for ALD) and a control group of 40 (non-ALD) patients undergoing transplant from September 2020–December 2021 were identified. Patient age, sex, clinical AAH, MELD score, Maddrey score, history of heavy alcohol consumption for at least 5 years, and duration of abstinence before transplant were recorded. Pathology slides were reviewed to analyze presence of histologic AAH.

Results: Of 50 study cases, 29 had histologic AAH, while 21 had bland cirrhosis (Table). Patient demographics, jaundice, and coagulopathy did not differ significantly in 2 study groups. None of the patients had fever. Leukocytosis was significantly higher in the histologic AAH group. Most patients with histologic AAH (21 of 29) had only 3 months of abstinence. MELD score was not significantly different in study and control groups.

Correlation of Duration of Abstinence to Presence of Features of Histologic AAH (n = 29)

Correlation of Duration of Abstinence to Presence of Features of Histologic AAH (n = 29)
Correlation of Duration of Abstinence to Presence of Features of Histologic AAH (n = 29)

Conclusions: Presence of histologic AAH may not always correspond to clinical syndrome of AAH. Patients with clinical AAH syndrome can have bland cirrhosis histologically. The histologic AAH can be identified in patients with more than 12 months of abstinence.

Malignant Transformation of a Prerectal Tail Gut Cyst Presenting With Lymph Node Metastasis

(Poster No. 79)

Matthew Uy, DO1 ([email protected]); Ashleigh Tomkovich, MD1; Monica Purmalek, MD2; Erica Kao, MD.1 Departments of 1Pathology and Area Laboratory Services and 2Obstetrics & Gynecology, San Antonio Military Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas.

A tail gut cyst (TGC) is a rare lesion arising from the embryonic hindgut remnant, typically occurring in the perirectal/retrorectal region. Malignant transformation has been described. In our case, a 35-year-old woman presented with an enlarged inguinal lymph node. On excision, it was involved by a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with mucinous features (Figure 1.79, A). By morphology and immunophenotype, the differential diagnosis was broad and included genitourinary, gynecologic, and colorectal origin. The patient underwent workup for a primary site, including benign cervical and endometrial biopsies. No mass was identified in the visceral organs on imaging. Full body PET and abdomen/pelvis MRI imaging (Figure 1.79, B) highlighted a 2-cm subcutaneous cyst with sinus tract extending to the left buttock soft tissues with maximum SUV of 9.4. Excision of the presumed “pilonidal cyst” revealed mucinous adenocarcinoma with similar morphology and immunophenotype (CK7 positive, CK20 focal, CDX2 diffuse) to the lymph node metastasis. In addition, there were areas with cribriform gland formation and dirty necrosis (Figure 1.79, C and D) resembling moderately differentiated colorectal adenocarcinoma. Molecular cancer classification favored colorectal origin (probability of 90%). Overall, these findings are in conjunction with a reported history of a left gluteal congenital cyst excised during childhood that was supportive of colorectal-type adenocarcinoma arising from an embryonic gut remnant. Malignant transformations of TGCs are difficult to diagnose in the absence of residual benign elements. The prerectal location in our case contributed to the difficulty, as only 4 cases of prerectal TGCs have been reported and none with malignant transformation.

Newly Categorized Hepatoid Variant of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Can Metastasize to the Liver, Creating A Diagnostic Pitfall: A Rare Case Report

(Poster No. 80)

Mark W. McNeely, MD1 ([email protected]); Yang Zhang, MD.2 1Department of Pathology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; 2Division of Hepatic and Gastrointestinal Pathology, Joint Pathology Center, Silver Spring, Maryland.

Hepatocellular carcinoma has a distinctive appearance most notable for polygonal cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. When these features are seen in a biopsy of a liver mass, consideration of other diagnostic possibilities may not be given. Recently, a new morphologic variant of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with hepatoid features was described, based on 9 similar cases, all of which occurred without liver masses. We report a case of a previously healthy 56-year-old man presenting with a single pancreatic mass and multiple liver masses. A biopsy of the liver revealed a malignant epithelioid neoplasm with various morphologic appearances. In some areas, the tumor cells showed abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and increased nuclear size variability, growing in anastomosing cords with intervening stroma (Figure 1.80, A), assuming an appearance similar to that of a well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. Other areas of tumor showed small, round, monotonous nuclei with coarse chromatin, and grew in large trabeculae and nests (Figure 1.80, B). All tumor cells, irrespective of morphology, were positive for synaptophysin, chromogranin (Figure 1.80, C), and arginase-1 (Figure 1.80, D), while HepPar1 showed expression only in the hepatocellular carcinoma–like areas. This phenomenon has been rarely described and may be underreported. Furthermore, this entity could easily be mistaken for hepatocellular carcinoma in instances where the hepatoid areas are sampled in isolation on liver biopsy, a potentially significant diagnostic pitfall.

The views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Department of Defense or the US Government.

Duplicate Gallbladder in Adolescent Girl Presenting With Cholelithiasis

(Poster No. 81)

Mohammed Athar, MD ([email protected]); Shadi Qasem, MD. Department of Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

Duplicate gallbladder or accessory gallbladder is a rare congenital anomaly. It can present as 1 cystic duct entering the common bile duct (split primordium) or as 2 separate cystic ducts arising from the biliary tree; this increases the chance for injuries during cholecystectomy or laparotomy procedures. The anomaly may be discovered incidentally, or patients can present with symptoms of acute cholecystitis, cholangitis, or even pancreatitis. A 16-year-old otherwise healthy adolescent girl presented with symptoms of cholelithiasis and was taken to the operating room where she was found to have a duplicate gallbladder (Figure 1.81, A). The procedure was postponed to obtain a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, which favored the patient for having 1 cystic duct in the presence of a bilobed duplicate gallbladder and 2 cystic arteries. Abdominal ultrasonography also confirmed that there were 3 gallstones in the larger of the 2 gallbladders and that no signs of inflammation were detected. Surgery was performed, and pathology was also able to confirm the findings, including cholelithiasis, a duplicate gallbladder, and 1 cystic duct (Figure 1.81, B). The postoperative course of the patient was otherwise unremarkable. Recognition of this entity is important because it can decrease the risks of complications during cholecystectomy. Cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice in symptomatic patients after minimization of risks associated with duplicate gallbladder.

Diagnosis of Rectal Heterotopic Gastric Mucosa Confirmed by Molecular Microsatellite Testing

(Poster No. 82)

Joshua Fernandez de la Vega, BS1 ([email protected]); Joshua M. Peterson, MD2; Billie Shine, DO2; Yamam Al-Saadi, MD3; Gabriel Reep, MD3; Jing He, MD.2 1Medical School and Departments of 2Pathology and 3Gastroenterology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

A 32-year-old woman presented for diagnostic colonoscopy to investigate chronic migratory abdominal pain. Findings in the colon included a 2-mm sessile sigmoid colon polyp, mild diverticulosis, and otherwise normal colonic mucosa. A 12-mm sessile polypoid lesion was found in the distal rectum near the dentate line, which was biopsied. Grossly, the rectal lesion had a focal area of villous-appearing mucosa as well as a focal area near the proximal border containing more elongated pits (Figure 1.82). Histopathologic evaluation of the biopsy revealed gastric pits lined by typical chief and parietal cells throughout the entire specimen, a fine lamina propria composed of smooth muscle, and a focal submucosal lymphoid aggregate (Figure 1.82). No colorectal mucosal architecture or cytomorphology was observed. As this patient had not undergone upper endoscopy at the time of colonoscopy, the possibility of specimen mix-up was suspected. Both the rectal lesion and sigmoid polyp underwent molecular microsatellite testing of 16 short tandem repeats, which revealed identical alleles between specimens. This result confirmed that both specimens originated from the same patient, ruling out specimen mix-up and establishing a diagnosis of heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM) of the rectum. The patient was referred for surgical excision of the lesion. HGM is a rare entity that most often occurs in the upper esophagus; only rare cases of rectal HGM have been reported in the literature. The use of molecular microsatellite testing against known patient samples can identify specimen mix-ups and support rare diagnoses such as rectal HGM.

Morphologic Variance in CMV Colitis/Enteritis After Acyclovir Prophylaxis and Antiviral Pretreatment

(Poster No. 83)

Pooja Khonde, MD ([email protected]); Kathleen Byrnes, MD. Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.

Context: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the gastrointestinal tract is a complication of immunosuppression. Identification of the classic owl-eye intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusions is the key morphologic feature on H&E. However, this feature is illustrated in pretreatment cases. The morphology of CMV inclusions in posttreatment/prophylaxis cases is not well described in the literature.

Design: A retrospective review of gastrointestinal biopsies and medical records from 2016–2021 was completed. A total of 68 cases with H&E and CMV immunohistochemistry (IHC) were included for review. Of these, only 33 cases with inclusions noted on both H&E and CMV IHC were selected and further subdivided into pretreatment/prophylaxis and posttreatment on the basis of clinical history.

Results: Of the 33 cases that met the inclusion criteria, 22 were pretreatment. Eleven patients were posttreatment and on antiviral prophylaxis. There were 18 cases with few to abundant inclusions. Of these, 28% (n = 5) were posttreatment. The pretreatment biopsies all demonstrated classic CMV inclusions (Figure 1.83, A). In contrast, posttreatment CMV-infected cells demonstrated extracellular and intracellular eosinophilic globules and degranulation with rare intranuclear inclusions (Figure 1.83, B). The IHC pattern was similar to that of the pretreatment CMV cases. All the patients were on acyclovir prophylaxis (average time, 5.8 months). Valganciclovir and ganciclovir were also added as therapy before the biopsy (average, 6 days).

Conclusions: Variant morphology of extracellular and intracellular globules and degranulation were seen in all posttreatment cases on acyclovir prophylaxis before biopsy. We hypothesize that prophylaxis/antiviral therapy alters the morphology of CMV-infected cells, recognition of which is key before IHC results are available.

Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Mimicking Colonic Adenocarcinoma

(Poster No. 84)

Annie E. Abraham, MD ([email protected]); Kerime Ararat, MD; James Mueller, MD. Department of Pathology, UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, Massachusetts.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas are clinically and pathologically insidious tumors with poor prognosis that commonly metastasize to the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and peritoneum. Metastasis to the colon is very rare with only 8 cases reported in the English medical literature to date. We report an interesting case of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a patient who also had a sigmoid colon mass. A 66-year-old woman was noted to have an incidental pancreatic tail mass that measured 3.0 cm and nonspecific segmental thickening of the sigmoid colon on computed tomography of the abdomen. A needle biopsy of the pancreatic tail mass revealed small cribriform infiltrative glands within a desmoplastic stroma. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor stained for cytokeratin 7 and was negative for SATB2, consistent with pancreatic primary. Colonoscopy revealed an ulcerated and villous 5-cm sigmoid mass, partially obstructing the colon with signs of recent hemorrhage. Biopsy of the mass revealed an infiltrative adenocarcinoma with the morphologic appearance of a primary colonic adenocarcinoma. Interestingly, the immunohistochemical staining pattern was identical to that of the pancreatic adenocarcinoma, establishing it as a metastasis to the colon. Subsequently, the patient was started on palliative chemotherapy. Colonic metastasis highlights an unusual pattern of spread of these tumors. In our case, the tumor morphologically mimicked a colonic adenocarcinoma with focal villous architecture grossly and microscopically. Hence in such a synchronous presentation of 2 tumors, pathologists must have a high suspicion for metastasis despite their apparent morphologic differences.

Morphologic Spectrum of Liver Tumors in Children and Young Adults in One Institution: Summary of the Largest Cohort to Date

(Poster No. 85)

Natalia Yanchenko, MD, PhD ([email protected]); Ali G. Saad, MD. Department of Pathology, UMH/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida.

Context: Liver neoplasms in people during their first 3 decades of life represent a heterogeneous group of disease. We study the experience at a major reference institution to analyze liver neoplasms in 4 age groups to clarify the distribution of liver neoplasms in each group (according to the 5th edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Digestive Tumors).

Design: The pathology databases (from 2003–2022) of Jackson Memorial Hospital were searched for “liver” and “hepatic” in the population from 0 to 30 years. Cases for which histologic materials were available were included in the study. Patients were divided into 4 age groups: 0–3 years (infants and toddlers), 4–14 years (children), 15–21 years (adolescents), and 22–30 years (young adults).

Results: Results are summarized in the Table. While in the toddler population most neoplasms were hepatoblastomas and benign mesenchymal tumors, in children hepatoblastomas were rare and hepatocellular carcinomas were most frequent.

Distribution of Liver Tumors in Age Groups

Distribution of Liver Tumors in Age Groups
Distribution of Liver Tumors in Age Groups

Conclusions: Liver disease in the pediatric and young adult population is different and this needs to be considered when diagnosing neoplasms in these populations.

Evolution of the Liver Biopsy Through Revolutions in Hepatology

(Poster No. 86)

Nazire E. Albayrak, MD ([email protected]); Peizi Li, MD, MPH; Maryam Kooshesh, MD; Aishwarya Irri, MD, MPH; Joshua Onuiri, MD, PhD; Xia Qian, MD, PhD; Muhammad Qazi, MD; Russell McBride, PhD; Stephen C. Ward, MD, PhD; Swan Thung, MD. Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York.

Context: The past decade has brought major innovations to the practice of hepatology. Historically, the diagnosis and management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) pre and post liver transplant has relied on biopsy. Direct-acting antivirals, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in May 2011, revolutionized HCV treatment, improving sustained virologic response rates to >90%, while simultaneously reducing treatment duration to ≤12 weeks. Additionally, the availability of noninvasive imaging techniques (eg, magnetic resonance elastography and FibroScan) to assess liver fibrosis and steatosis beginning in 2009 has also reduced the need for grading/staging biopsies.

Design: Search of the pathology database at Mount Sinai Hospital revealed a total of 12 690 liver biopsies received from January 2002–December 2021. A cohort of 5000 cases (39%) was selected alphabetically by patients' last name (A–L). The cohort was sorted into four 5-year periods and comparatively analyzed along with demographics, histopathologic diagnoses, and biopsy indications (Figure 1.86).

Results: Since 2011, the annual number of liver biopsies has continually decreased, nearly halving from 418 in 2010 to 269 in 2011 (P < .01). Although diagnostic and lesional biopsies have not significantly declined over the years, fewer staging and posttransplant biopsies have resulted in an overall downtrend observed in linear regression analysis (P < .001).

Conclusions: Our study shows that the aforementioned advances in hepatology have shifted the role for liver biopsy. Between 2002 and 2011, staging and posttransplant protocol biopsies comprised the majority of liver biopsy practice, while diagnostic biopsies predominate after 2011. The remaining cases of our study are currently under review.

Ileocecal Epstein-Barr Virus–Associated Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Arising in Patient With Crohn Disease on Adalimumab

(Poster No. 87)

Ani Toklu, MD; Katrina Collins, MD ([email protected]); Nishi Dave, MD; Hector Mesa, MD. Department of Pathology, Indiana University, Indianapolis.

A 41-year-old man with a 15-year history of ileocecal Crohn disease, maintained on long-term immunosuppression with adalimumab (40 mg/0.4 mL SC), presented with hematochezia and severe anemia (Hgb, 6.4 g/dL). Colonoscopy revealed a large, ulcerated noncircumferential mass at the ileocecal valve (Figure 1.87, A). Mucosal biopsies showed changes consistent with severe active inflammatory bowel disease and scattered large mononuclear, bilobated or polylobated cells with prominent eosinophilic inclusion-like nucleoli (Figure 1.87, B) that were positive for CD15, CD30 (Figure 1.87, C), PAX5, BCL6, and MUM1, while negative for CD3, CD20, and CD45, consistent with Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells. HRS cells were positive for EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization (Figure 1.87, D), and all cells were negative for CMV and HSV immunostains. A diagnosis of EBV+ classical Hodgkin lymphoma (EBV+ CHL) arising in Crohn disease was made. Despite the histologic diagnosis, the patient underwent right hemicolectomy owing to near complete obstruction and significant bleeding. The resection confirmed transmural Crohn disease and EBV+ CHL involving the intestine and mesenteric nodes. Diagnosis of CHL in the context of Crohn disease is difficult given the presence of obscuring inflammation, reactive atypia in stromal cells and leukocytes, and potential presence of viral cytopathic changes. Most lymphomas occurring in the context of chronic inflammation or immunosuppression are non-Hodgkin type. The increased incidence is largely attributed to abnormal immune surveillance given the necessary use of steroids, immunomodulators, and biologics. In our case, long-term treatment with a tumor necrosis factor α inhibitor and EBV positivity support an iatrogenic immunodeficiency-associated, rather than a chronic inflammation-associated, lymphoma.

Large Epidermoid Splenic Epithelial Cyst in a Young Woman Presenting With Abdominal Pain: A Rare Occurrence

(Poster No. 88)

Bianca Puello Yocum, MD; Michael Hwang, MD; Hector Mesa, MD; Katrina Collins, MD ([email protected]). Department of Pathology, Indiana University, Indianapolis.

Primary splenic cysts are very rare in routine surgical practice, representing only 10% of benign nonparasitic splenic cysts. Splenic cysts are usually an incidental finding during imaging studies performed for an unrelated reason and occur predominantly in pediatric to young adult age groups with a female predominance. We describe an unusual case of an 18-year-old woman who presented with left-sided shoulder pain with radiation to the left upper quadrant and back. She had no history of previous trauma or foreign travel. CT imaging showed a large, multiseptated cystic lesion in the upper pole of the spleen (Figure 1.88, A). Splenectomy was performed revealing a 6.8-cm multiloculated cyst (Figure 1.88, B). Microscopically, the cysts were lined by benign stratified squamous epithelium (Figure 1.88, C) positive for CK5/6 and focal mucous cells positive for mucicarmine (Figure 1.88, D), characteristic of a primary epidermoid splenic epithelial cyst. The pathogenesis of primary splenic cysts remains unclear; hypotheses include a teratomatous origin, derivation from inclusion of fetal squamous epithelium, and origin from mesothelial invagination of the capsule during development. A definitive preoperative diagnosis was not possible; however, the absence of previous trauma, infection, or exposure to hydatid disease favored this diagnosis. Surgery was performed for diagnostic purposes and to avoid serious complications such as rupture or infection; conservative surgery is preferred, when possible, to maintain splenic function and avoid infectious complications related to asplenia.

IgG4-Lymphadenopathy in the Pediatric Age Group

(Poster No. 89)

Rachel Whitehair, MD1 ([email protected]); Nadine Aguilera, MD1; Patcharin Pramoonjago, PhD.2 1Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville; 2Department of Biorepository and Tissue Research Facility, University of Virginia, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville.

Context: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a new entity first described in 2003 with a heterogeneous, insidious clinical course. IgG4-RD is a fibroinflammatory condition identified in adults with characteristic fibrosis and an IgG4-plasma cell infiltrate. IgG4-RD has been reported in children with only a few studies investigating IgG4 lymphadenopathy (IgG4-LAD). Isolated IgG4-LAD without coexisting IgG4-RD has been established in adults, but rarely in pediatric patients. IgG4-LAD has been hypothesized to represent a distinct entity, as many patients do not have any other signs of IgG4-RD.

Design: Thirty-seven lymph nodes classified as reactive were identified in children/adolescents 0–18 years of age between 2016 and 2020. The cases were stained for IgG, IgG4, and CD138 and the findings were recorded. The IgG-and IgG4-positive cells were counted by using the method proposed in Chen et al. Three high-power fields (HPFs) were counted (the areas with the highest IgG or IgG4 cells); the average number per HPF was calculated. An IgG4+:IgG+ ratio of >40% and/or an IgG4 count greater than 50 were considered probable IgG4-LAD.

Results: Seven cases were identified to have IgG4 counts greater than 50/HPF (18.9%). Nine cases were found to have IgG4:IgG ratios greater than 40% (24.3%) and 5 cases met both criteria (13.5%). The most common histologic finding overall and within the IgG4 cases was follicular hyperplasia.

Conclusions: IgG4-LAD may be more common in childhood than previously thought. The histologic findings in childhood IgG4-LAD resemble the most common findings identified in pediatric lymph nodes. There are no easily identifiable features to suggest IgG4-LAD without immunohistochemistry.

Myeloid/Lymphoid Neoplasm With FGFR1 Rearrangement and an Associated ASXL1 Mutation Identified by Whole Genome Sequencing

(Poster No. 90)

Lisa M. Marinelli, MD1 ([email protected]); Joshua T. Romain, MD2; William Ehman Jr, BS, CG(ASCP)3; Veronica Ortega, BA, CG(ASCP)3; Gopalrao Velagaleti, PhD, FACMG3; Thomas Gibbons, PhD4; Ashley Nazario-Toole, PhD4; Allen R. Holmes, MD.1 Departments of 1Pathology and Area Laboratory Services and 2Hematology-Oncology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; 3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, Texas; 4Department of Clinical Investigations & Research Support Laboratory, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Lackland AFB, Texas.

Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm with fibroblast growth factor 1 rearrangements (MLN-FGFR1) represents a rare group of hematologic neoplasms, with approximately 100 cases reported to date. A 69-year-old woman with a 1-year history of polycythemia and leukocytosis with negative molecular testing for JAK2, CALR, and MPL presented with diffuse adenopathy. An excisional cervical lymph node (LN) biopsy revealed effacement by T lymphoblasts, consistent with T-cell acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-ALL). A staging bone marrow (BM) biopsy demonstrated trilineage hyperplasia, which, taken together with the patient's elevated hemoglobin and low serum erythropoietin level, fulfilled diagnostic criteria for polycythemia vera. Karyotype and fluorescence in situ hybridization on both the BM and LN demonstrated a FGFR1 rearrangement due to t(8;13), consistent with MLN-FGFR1. Whole genome sequencing on the LN additionally identified a pathogenic frameshift mutation of ASXL1 (20-32434638-A-AG; NM_015338.6(ASXL1):c.1934dup) predicted to result in loss of protein function, a finding also observed in 8.1% of BM reads. Both the BM and LN harbored mi ssense v a r iants in HDAC4 (NC_000 002.12:g.239068595C>T) and CHEK2 (NM_007194.4(CHEK2): c.538C>T (p.Arg180Cys)), with an unknown significance. Despite initial response to induction chemotherapy with Mini-CVD + Venetoclax, the patient subsequently developed acute leukemia, resulting in rapid clinical deterioration and death. We report the second case of MLN-FGFR1 with an ASXL1 mutation and the first case with HDAC4 and CHEK2 variants. Mutations in ASXL1 have been suggested as drivers in other myeloid neoplasms. Polycythemia vera represents a rare presentation, with just 4 cases reported to date. Our findings support previous suggestions that the translocation t(8;13) may be associated with T-ALL.

Marinelli received grant or research support from the 59th Medical Wing Clinical Investigation Program (DHA/Clinical Program Office).

CSF-1R Expression in Tumor Microenvironment of Follicular Lymphoma and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

(Poster No. 91)

Michael Kozak, DO ([email protected]); Fai Chung, BS, HTL(ASCP); Sumire Kitahara, MD. Department of Pathology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.

Context: Tumor-associated macrophages, dependent on colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) for maturation, are associated with survival and are present in the microenvironments of various lymphomas including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL). CSF-1R is implicated in activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which may indicate a role for the use of PI3K inhibitors in the treatment of lymphomas with increased CSF-1R expression. This study examines CSF-1R expression and tumor microenvironment in a larger sample of FL and DLBCL cases for which there is currently a paucity of data and explores whether CSF-1R can be used as a biomarker to identify cases potentially amenable to targeted therapy.

Design: Immunohistochemistry was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue on a total of 45 FL (Figure 1.91, C) and DLBCL (Figure 1.91, D) cases in addition to reactive tonsillar (Figure 1.91, A and B) and lymph node tissue used as a control. CSF-1R (CD115) staining was quantified by the average number of positive cells in 10 high-power fields.

Results: Average CD115 expression was increased in DLBCL non-GC type (P = .02), non-GC and non–double expressor (P = .04), non-GC double expressor (P = .02), and overall DLBCL (P = .04) as compared to controls (P < .001). No significant difference was found between FL and its subtypes and the control. Significant difference was found between FL and DLBCL (P = .007) as well as FL and DLBCL non-GC type (P < .001), but not between FL and DLBCL GC type (P= .13).

Conclusions: These results support the presence of increased CD115-positive tumor-associated macrophages in DLBCL that could lead to new applications of anti-CD115 therapy.

Mature T-Cell Lymphomas With T-LBL Characteristics

(Poster No. 92)

Morgan Hrones, MD1 ([email protected]); Alexa Siddon, MD1; Sudhir Perincheri, MD2; Francine Foss, MD3; Mina L. Xu, MD.1 Departments of 1Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 2Pathology, and 3Internal Medicine, Hematology & Stem Cell Transplant Section, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.

Context: De novo T-cell neoplasms in young patients tend to be T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL), particularly if arising from mediastinal and extranodal sites. CD34 and TdT are 2 standard blast markers; the absence of both typically rules out T-LBL in favor of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL, NOS). Since therapy differs, rare tumors that resemble T-LBL by clinical and cytologic features but are negative for blast markers warrant further study.

Design: We performed a retrospective review within our institutional database of all extranodal PTCLs, NOS in patients aged <40 years (2006–2021) and identified 4 cases. Clinical information, imaging findings, hematoxylin-eosin–stained slides, immunohistochemistry, and molecular studies were reviewed.

Results: All patients presented with a de novo T-cell neoplasm in the form of extranodal or mediastinal disease. Age at presentation ranged from 6 to 36 years. Cytologic evaluation showed blastoid tumor cytology (Figure 1.92, A through D) but CD34 and TdT negativity. Molecular analysis revealed pathogenic variants in KRAS, TP53, and DNMT3A. Patients were treated with a pediatric protocol–inspired acute lymphoblastic lymphoma chemotherapeutic regimen and achieved positive clinical responses.

Conclusions: De novo extranodal T-cell neoplasms in young patients tend to behave more similarly to T-LBL, irrespective of CD34 and TdT positivity. These patients achieved positive clinical responses with the use of a pediatric-inspired aggressive chemotherapeutic approach. Careful communication of such diagnosis must be made to highlight the neoplasms' particularly aggressive nature. Future study into their biology is necessary to differentiate them from more typical PTCLs.

An Unusual Case of Sclerosing Angiomatoid Nodular Transformation of the Spleen With Extramedullary Hematopoiesis

(Poster No. 93)

Leonard N. Yenwongfai, MD, MS ([email protected]); Sahar Nozad, MD. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) is a rare benign vascular lesion of the spleen with an unknown etiology and a limited number of cases described worldwide. Most patients are asymptomatic, with splenic lesions found incidentally, but some patients present with abdominal pain. A small number of patients might have associated leukocytosis, polyclonal gammopathy, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and pancytopenia. However, extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is an unusual finding in SANT. We report a case of SANT with EMH. A 37-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain, and imaging revealed a single well-circumscribed splenic mass warranting a splenectomy. Histologic sections demonstrated a nodular pattern composed of bands of fibrosis with interspersed cellular nodules. Nodules consisted of many vascular spaces associated with inflammatory elements, stromal cells, and histiocytes (Figure 1.93, A and B). There was no cytologic atypia, and mitoses were not identified. Immunohistochemistry showed markers for splenic sinusoidal lining cells, capillary-like and venous-like elements, including CD34, CD31 (Figure 1.93, C), and CD8. EMH was identified, composed mainly of erythroid precursors, few myeloid cells, and megakaryocytes (Figure 1.93, D). There was no evidence of increased blasts or abnormal lymphoid populations, and the patient did not have any lymphohematopoietic abnormality. EMH in the spleen may suggest bone marrow suppression in the setting of a hematolymphoid pathology or a metastatic malignancy. However, EMH is an unusual feature in SANT. While SANT is a benign entity, it is essential to evaluate the splenic tissue thoroughly, as EMH could represent an undiagnosed bone marrow pathology, prompting further clinical workup.

Incidental Histologic Detection of Small Cell Lymphocytic Lymphoma in the Prostate

(Poster No. 94)

Steven H. Adams, MD ([email protected]); Tahmeena Ahmed, MD; Jela Bandovic, MD. Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York.

Diagnosis of small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (SLL/CLL) is ordinarily first suspected by findings of abnormal lymphocytes on blood smear review, lymphocytosis, cytopenia, lymphadenopathy, and/or splenomegaly. The disease is seldomly detected initially by histologic evaluation of hematoxylin-eosin–stained sections alone. A 77-year-old man underwent a simple prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. On histology focal collections of monomorphic small lymphocytic infiltrate with dense clumped chromatin were noted throughout the prostate gland (Figure 1.94, A). On immunohistochemistry the infiltrate contained predominant CD20+ (Figure 1.94, B), CD23+, cyclin D B lymphocytes with aberrant expression of CD5 (Figure 1.94, C) and CD43, while CD3 highlighted background T cells (Figure 1.94, D). The diagnosis was SLL/CLL involving the prostate gland in a background of stromal and glandular hyperplasia, focal atrophic changes, and acute inflammation. Hematology found no lymphocytosis (absolute lymphocyte count, 1.17 K/μL). Subsequently, flow cytometry detected a small percentage of SLL/CLL phenotypic cells. Further workup by chest-abdomen CT and PET-CT (skull base to mid-thigh) showed no lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, or other abnormalities. Negative findings on PET-CT support a prostatic primary (SLL), although this cannot be stated definitively as a bone marrow biopsy was not performed. Suspicion for SLL/CLL on histology is raised when small dense lymphocytes are seen in aggregates, away from vessels, and not admixed with other inflammatory cells (eg, eosinophils, plasma cells, histiocytes). Immunostains (eg, CD5, CD20, CD23) should then be used to confirm the diagnosis. It is possible that local CLL/SLL involvement contributed to the patient's prostatic hypertrophy. Literature review found only 10 cases of primary SLL of the prostate.

Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndrome With t(3;5)(q21;q31), Transforming to Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myeloid Sarcoma of Orbital and Sinonasal Cavities 10 Years After Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant

(Poster No. 95)

Leonard Yenwongfai, MD, MS ([email protected]); Sainan Wei, MD, PhD; Melissa Kesler, MD; Sahar Nozad, MD. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

The balanced t(3;5)(q21;q31) is a rare translocation described in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We report a case of pediatric MDS with t(3;5)(q21;q31) that evolved to AML and myeloid sarcoma 10 years after a bone marrow transplant. A 15-year-old adolescent girl was evaluated for anemia and thrombocytopenia in 2010. Bone marrow biopsy examination revealed a hypercellular bone marrow with trilineage dyspoiesis and 5% blasts containing Auer rods. Cytogenetic studies identified t(3;5)(q21;q31). She underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplant from a male donor. The patient presented in 2021 with a large orbital and sinonasal mass that was biopsied and showed involvement by myeloid sarcoma (Figure 1.95, A). The subsequent bone marrow biopsy demonstrated AML with 79% populations of myeloblasts (Figure 1.95, B and C). The cytogenetic analysis was significant for an abnormal female karyotype with t(3;5)(q21;q31) in 90% of metaphase cells (Figure 1.95, D). Next-generation sequencing of the bone marrow specimen identified mutations in FLT3-ITD, IDH2, and ETV6 genes. She underwent induction chemotherapy for AML with myelodysplasia-related changes. The reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 3 and 5 with breakpoints at 3q21 and 5q31 is rare but is reported in MDS and AML cases. The genes involved in this translocation remain unknown. It is yet to be determined whether patients with this translocation, similar to AML with t(3;5)(q25;q35.1) (MLF1-NPM1), which is classified as acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes in the current World Health Organization classification, should also be classified in this category.

An Unusual Presentation of B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma, BCR-ABL1–like, With Pronounced Eosinophilia

(Poster No. 96)

Leonard Yenwongfai, MD, MS1 ([email protected]); Zena Chahine, MD2; Ayman Qasrawi, MD2; Sainan Wei, MD, PhD1; Dava W. Piecoro, MD1; Sahar Nozad, MD.1 Departments of 1Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and 2Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

BCR-ABL1–like B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is a provisional entity in the 2016 World Health Organization classification of lymphoblastic tumors. These neoplasms lack the BCR-ABL1 translocation but show a gene expression profile similar to B-ALL with BCR-Arch-ABL1, including alterations in cytokine receptors and signaling genes such as CRLF2, ABL1, ABL2, JAK2, PDGFRB, and EPOR. Cases with CRLF2 rearrangements account for approximately 50% of cases, and the frequency of specific genomic lesions varies with ethnicity such that IGH/CRLF2 translocations are more common in Hispanic and Native American persons. We report a case of B-ALL, BCR-ABL1–like, with significant eosinophilia. A 20-year-old Hispanic man presented with leukocytosis with 45% eosinophils and 3% blasts (Figure 1.96, A). Bone marrow flow cytometry revealed 31% lymphoblasts expressing CD19, CD10, partial CD20, CD22, CD79a, CD38, CD34, TdT, and HLA-DR. Examination of the bone marrow biopsy and aspirate exhibited a hypercellular bone marrow with increased blasts and elevated eosinophils (Figure 1.96, B). Chromosome analysis showed a normal male karyotype, whereas fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated a cryptic chromosomal rearrangement between the X chromosome and chromosome 14 at breakpoints involving IGH at 14q32 and CRLF2 at Xp22.33, t(X;14) (p22.33; q32) (Figure 1.96, C and D). These findings confirmed the diagnosis of BCR-ABL1–like B-ALL with IGH/CRLF2 rearrangement. The patient attained a complete remission with induction therapy, using the CALGB 10403 protocol. This case demonstrates an unusual presentation of BCR-ABL1–like B-ALL and emphasizes the importance of appropriate cytogenetic studies for correct diagnosis. When treated with conventional chemotherapy, these cases have a poor prognosis and might require allogeneic transplant.

A Case Report of Large B-Cell Lymphoma With Interferon Regulation Factor 4 Rearrangement

(Poster No. 97)

Bei Yang, MD, PhD ([email protected]); Lalarukh Aftab, MD. Department of Pathology and Anatomical Science, University at Buffalo, New York.

Large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) with interferon regulation factor 4 (IRF4) rearrangement is rare and a provisional lymphoma entity included in the 2016 revision of the World Health Organization classification of lymphoid neoplasms. We report a case of LBCL with IRF4 rearrangement in a 16-year-old adolescent male who presented with a rapidly growing left tonsil without fever, night sweats, or weight loss. CT noted an asymmetric enlargement of the left palatine tonsil of 3.4 cm. Histologic examination showed lymphoid tissue of left tonsil replaced by neoplastic follicles that were fused in some places and with focal diffuse areas. The neoplastic cells were medium sized, resembled centrocytes and centroblasts, and were positive for CD20, PAX-5, MUM-1, BCL6, and BCL2 and weakly positive for CD10. CD21 showed expanded, focally coalescent, and disrupted follicular dendritic cell meshwork. MYC was variably positive in about 30% of cells. CD5, CD34, TdT, and cyclin D1 were negative. Proliferation index (Mib1) was around 80%. FISH analysis detected IRF4/DUSP22 (6p25) gene rearrangement and no evidence of BCL2 or BCL6 gene translocations. LBCL with IRF4 rearrangement is more often seen in young ages with cervical localization, especially Waldeyer ring, and has a favorable outcome. To recognize this rare entity, which is important for future management, we recommend IRF4 rearrangement FISH test performed in all MUM-1–positive follicular lymphomas and diffuse LBCLs, especially in children involving tonsils/Waldeyer ring lymphoid tissue.

A Rare Case of Systemic Mastocytosis With Associated Clonal Hematologic Non–Mast Cell Lineage Disease Manifested as Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance

(Poster No. 98)

Bei Yang, MD, PhD ([email protected]); Lalarukh Aftab, MD. Department of Pathology and Anatomical Science, University at Buffalo, New York.

Systemic mastocytosis with associated clonal hematologic non–mast cell lineage disease (SM-AHNMD) is a subtype of systemic mastocytosis (SM). Most of the reported cases of SM-AHNMD are associated with the disorder of myeloid lineage, and SM-AHNMD as a plasma cell neoplasm is rare. We report a case of SM-AHNMD as plasma cell neoplasm. The patient is a 46-year-old man who presented with steadily increasing pancytopenia since beginning treatment with methotrexate and rituxan for rheumatoid arthritis. His medical history was also significant for chronic kidney disease secondary to drug toxicity on peritoneal dialysis, and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Bone marrow core biopsy showed multifocal aggregates of spindle mast cells (>15 cells per aggregate) in the paratrabecular area, intermingled with lymphoid aggregates and reticulin fibrosis. These spindle mast cells were positive for tryptase, CD117 (bright), and CD25. Plasma cells (5%–8% of marrow cellularity) were aberrant CD56 and CD117 (dim) positive and exhibited κ light-chain excess. The myeloid lineage was left shifted but progressively maturing with normal M:E ratio. Eosinophilia was also present. Further investigations showed increased serum tryptase (28.2 μg/L), but KIT mutations were not detected in peripheral blood sample. Indolent SM coexists with plasma cell neoplasm, which fits the definition of MGUS in this case. To our knowledge, rare cases of SM-AHNMD as MGUS have been reported.

Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma–Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

(Poster No. 99)

Mohamed O. Rabie, MD ([email protected]); Bayan Alzumaili, MD; Khawaja H. Bilal, MD; Wen Fan, MD. Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening disease of severe hyperinflammation caused by uncontrolled proliferation of activated lymphocytes and macrophages. A 40-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath for 3 weeks. CT scan revealed mediastinal and bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy. Clinical history was notable for intermittent fever (103°F) and hepatosplenomegaly. CBC showed hemoglobin (5.8 g/dL; ref, 11.7–15.0 g/dL), hematocrit (17.6%; ref, 34.0–47.0%), WBCs (2.7 K/μL; ref, 4.5–11.0 K/μL), platelets (11 K/μL; ref, 150–400 K/μL), ferritin (>33 511 μg/L). Left axillary lymph node biopsy showed depletion of lymphoid cells that were replaced by histiocytes with hemophagocytosis (Figure 1.99, A). Numerous large atypical lymphoid cells were also identified that were positive for CD45, ALK (Figure 1.99, B), CD30 (Figure 1.99, C), CD7, CD56, CD8, and CD4, and were negative for CD20, PAX5, CD3, and CD5. Background histiocytes were positive for CD68 and CD163 (Figure 1.99, D). The histology and the immunoprofile supported the diagnosis of ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. HLH presents in 2 forms, genetic and acquired, where the latter is triggered by malignancies or infections. Malignancy-associated HLH usually presents with variable overlaps of symptoms indistinguishable from sepsis or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, similar to the presentation of this patient, resulting in higher incidence of misdiagnosis and mortality. Treatment of underlying cause and prompt initiation of immunochemotherapy is crucial for survival. Differential diagnoses considered are Rosai-Dorfman disease, myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and such infections as leishmaniasis and histoplasmosis. Future efforts are required to develop evidence-based, tailored therapies to improve outcomes of this underrecognized heterogeneous entity.

Adult-Onset Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in a Patient With Disseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and a Heterozygous UNC13D Mutation

(Poster No. 100)

Hamza Tariq, MD ([email protected]). Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening, systemic hyperinflammatory syndrome broadly divided into primary/familial and secondary/acquired subtypes. Primary HLH is caused by homozygous mutations that impair the cytolytic functions of NK and cytotoxic T cells, whereas secondary HLH occurs in response to infectious, autoimmune, or neoplastic triggers. Recent studies have demonstrated that a substantial proportion of patients with secondary HLH carry heterozygous mutations in 1 or more of the primary HLH-associated genes, suggesting an underlying genetic predisposition. We report the case of a 63-year-old woman who presented with fever, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and pancytopenia. An extensive laboratory workup led to the diagnosis of HLH. A bone marrow biopsy was performed and showed frequent hemophagocytic histiocytes (Figure 1.100, A). Core biopsy showed extensive necrotizing granulomatous inflammation (Figure 1.100, B and C). An acid-fast bacillus stain was positive for numerous acid-fast bacilli (Figure 1.100, D). Subsequent cultures performed on a bronchoalveolar lavage specimen and liver biopsy were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A next-generation sequencing panel for primary HLH was performed on a peripheral blood sample and identified a heterozygous mutation in the UNC13D gene (c.2346_2349del(p.Arg782fs), a gene that encodes Munc13-4 protein, which is essential in the intracellular trafficking and exocytosis of lytic granules. This case reinforces the fact that a substantial proportion of patients with secondary HLH carry heterozygous mutations in genes involved in the cytolytic functioning of NK and cytotoxic T cells, suggesting a genetic predisposition in these patients.

Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma in 2 Patients

(Poster No. 101)

Saman S. Karimi, MD, MS1 ([email protected]); Victoria Angelova, MD2; Shiraz Fidai, MD.2 1Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago; 2Department of Pathology, John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare extranodal large B-cell lymphoma characterized by small vessel intravascular growth that presents with nonspecific symptoms and is commonly diagnosed on autopsy. IVLBCL predominantly affects the middle-aged and elderly population and is associated with an aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis. We present 2 cases: patient 1 (a 61-year-old man) and patient 2 (a 54-year-old woman), who presented with nonspecific, overlapping symptoms of abdominal pain, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and multiple metabolic derangements. Interestingly, the peripheral blood smear for patient 1 showed 25% circulating large lymphocytes (clonality confirmed by flow cytometry), while that of patient 2 lacked circulating large cells (in keeping with typical presentation). Abdominal CT in both patients showed hepatomegaly, and liver biopsies were subsequently performed. In both cases, biopsy showed diffuse intrasinusoidal infiltration by large lymphoma cells with prominent nucleoli and numerous mitoses (Figure 1.101, A and B); positivity for CD20, CD5 (Figure 1.101, C and D), BCL-6, and MUM1; lack of CD10 staining; and a 70%–80% Ki-67 proliferation index, consistent with a diagnosis of IVLBCL, non–germinal center phenotype. Owing to disease burden, patient 1 died the next day from overwhelming tumor lysis syndrome after steroid initiation. Patient 2 survived for 8 months and died from relapsed refractory CNS disease. We report these 2 cases to demonstrate the highly nonspecific presentation and antemortem diagnosis of such a rare entity and to emphasize the need for further studies to improve our understanding of its diagnosis, staging parameters, therapy, and outcome (especially the significance of circulating cells in patient 1).

Heterogeneous Minimal/Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) Testing Practices Highlight the Need to Standardize, Including the Use of First-Pull Aspirate for MRD: Results From a Survey of US Pathologists

(Poster No. 102)

Juliana Hidalgo-Lopez, MD1 ([email protected]); Gail J. Roboz, MD3; Brent Wood, MD, PhD4; Michael Borowitz, MD, PhD5; Elias Jabour, MD6; Ehab Elkhouly, MD, MBA1; Babatunde Adedokun, MD, PhD2; Faraz Zaman, MD1; Karim Iskander, PhD7; Aaron C. Logan, MD, PhD.8 Departments of 1Global Medical Affairs and 2Center for Observational Research, Amgen Inc, Thousand Oaks, California; 3Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York; 4Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, California; 5Department of Hematologic Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; 6Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; 7Department of Medical Affairs, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Westlake Village, California; 8Department of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, San Francisco.

Context: Lack of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment standards may impact patient outcomes.

Design: US pathologists took a 30-minute online survey on B-ALL MRD practices (April 2021–January 2022).

Results: Of 83 pathologists, 38 were academic (National Cancer Institute [NCI], n = 23; non-NCI, n = 15), 38 community, and 7 commercial. For MRD, pathologists used external (74%) or in-house (53%) laboratories; 27% used both. Challenges with external laboratories identified by academic pathologists included sample quality (69%), cost (54%), and reliability (54%), while community pathologists primarily flagged logistics (56%). For MRD samples, most pathologists (59%) received 2–5 mL in 2–3 tubes; 69% were not identified for MRD. Only 13% of pathologists consistently identified/used first-pull marrow aspirates (Figure 1.102), and 37% created smears from the same tube sent for MRD. Nearly all respondents (88%) reported hemodilution concerns; 9% of MRD tests were repeated for technical issues. Flow cytometry was mostly used (77%), typically with Children's Oncology Group/MD Anderson Cancer Center panels (in-house = 66%, external = 59%). Leukemia-associated immunophenotypes (LAIPs) alone were more commonly used by external laboratories (43%), while in-house testing used combined LAIP and different from normal (47%). Forty-six percent of respondents included sample quality and technical information in reports.

Conclusions: Wide variability in MRD testing practices, including inconsistent use of first-pull aspirates, continues to be a challenge and may adversely affect patient outcomes. Increased use of first-pull aspirates per National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines will improve sample quality and enhance patient care through early MRD detection. Relationships between first-pull aspirates, sample quality, and technical yield should be further investigated.

Hidalgo-Lopez is an Amgen shareholder. Roboz is a consultant with AbbVie, Actinium, Agios, Amgen, Astex, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Blueprint Medicines, BMS, Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, GSK, Janssen, Jasper, Jazz, MEI, Mesoblast, Novartis, Otsuka, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, and Takeda, and has received grant or research support from Cellectis and Janssen. Wood has a Laboratory Services Agreement and received honoraria from Juno, Pfizer, Amgen, and Seattle Genetics. Borowitz has received honoraria from Amgen and Blueprint Medicines. Jabour has received grant or research support from Amgen, AbbVie, Spectrum, BMS, Takeda, Pfizer, Adaptive, and Genentech. Elkhouly is an Amgen shareholder. Adedokun is an Amgen shareholder. Zaman is an Amgen shareholder. Iskander is a former employee and shareholder of Amgen. Logan is a consultant with Amgen, Agios, Pfizer, Incyte, and AbbVie, and has received grant or research support from Pharmacyclics, Astellas, Jazz, Kite, Kadmon, Autolus, and Genentech.

Diagnostic Utility of Flow Cytometric Evaluation for Classical Monocyte Determination in Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia

(Poster No. 103)

Juhi D. Mahadik, MD ([email protected]); Christine Roth, MD. Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Context: Diagnosis of neoplastic monocytic neoplasms is often challenging owing to overlap with other entities. A marked increase in peripheral blood CD14+, CD16 classical monocytes (CMs) has been proposed as a diagnostic adjunct for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). We evaluated the diagnostic utility of CM quantitation for CMML diagnosis in our practice setting.

Design: Twenty-one patients (13 inpatients, 8 outpatients) with a peripheral blood monocytosis of >1 ×109/L, with monocytes constituting >10% of the leukocytes, were identified. The 14 peripheral blood and 7 bone marrow samples comprised the following diagnoses: 7, CMML; 5, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with monocytic differentiation, including 4 AML, NOS and 1 NPM1-mutated AML; 2, myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), NOS; 1, plasma cell neoplasm; 1, B-cell lymphoma; and 5, reactive monocytosis.

Results: The mean CM percentages were as follows: CMML (79.4%), AML (79.8%), reactive monocytosis (79.8%), MPN, NOS (81.2%), and nonmyeloid neoplastic cases (52.3%) (Table). Greater than 94% CMs were present in 3 of 7 CMML, 1 of 5 AML, 1 of 2 MPN, 0 of 5 reactive monocytosis, and 0 of 2 nonmyeloid neoplastic cases. Greater than 94% CMs showed an overall sensitivity of 42.8% and specificity of 87.5% for a CMML diagnosis and did not serve to discriminate between CMML and reactive monocytosis (P=.4) or AML (P=.38). However, 71% (5 of 7) of CMML cases were from inpatients, likely reflecting the greater acuity of presentation.

Classical Monocyte Percentage by Flow Cytometry in Various Diagnostic Categories

Classical Monocyte Percentage by Flow Cytometry in Various Diagnostic Categories
Classical Monocyte Percentage by Flow Cytometry in Various Diagnostic Categories

Conclusions: A cutoff of >94% CMs on flow cytometry appears relatively specific but does not impart a high sensitivity for identifying CMML in our practice setting; the possibility of clinical presentation acuity impacting the sensitivity requires further investigation.

Atypical Epstein-Barr Virus–Positive B-Cell Proliferation in Tonsils With Negative Serology

(Poster No. 104)

Leonard Yenwongfai, MD, MS ([email protected]); Sahar Nozad, MD. Department of Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is a benign, self-limiting lymphoproliferative disease affecting adolescents and young adults, primarily caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV infections are characterized by fever, tonsillar pharyngitis, and lymphadenopathy. The diagnosis is rendered clinically by a positive mono spot test. Serodiagnosis is confirmed by the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies against the EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) for patients with persistent negative mono spot tests and clinical suspicion for IM. We report a case of a 13-year-old girl presenting with odynophagia and tonsillar bleeding. Infectious workup for EBV was negative, including negative serology for VCA IgM and IgG antibodies. Other infectious etiologies were also negative. Imaging revealed a left neck mass at level 2A, prominent lymphoid tissue in the bilateral palatine fossae, lymphadenopathy, and hypertrophy of the bilateral adenoids warranting bilateral tonsillectomy. Sections demonstrated partially distorted tonsillar architecture by diffuse proliferation of medium to large lymphoid cells with immunoblastic cytology mixed with plasma cells and plasmacytoid cells. Many mitoses and areas of necrosis were identified (Figure 1.104, A and B). The atypical cells were positive for CD20 (Figure 1.104, C) and PAX5 and showed a high proliferation index. Epstein-Barr encoding region in situ hybridization highlighted numerous cells, with a subset being positive for the latent membrane protein 1 and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 2 (Figure 1.104, D). These findings were compatible with IM. This case shows an example of acute primary EBV-IM with negative serology. These cases may represent a delayed serologic conversion or may be an indicator of immunodeficiency warranting further workup.

Acute Leukemia With PICALM::MLLT10 Fusion Associated With Extramedullary Involvement, CD4/CD8 Double-Negative Phenotype, and Poor Outcome

(Poster No. 105)

Jeffrey J. Wang1; Xinjie Xu, PhD2; Peng Li, MD, PhD3; Xueyan Chen, MD, PhD4; Xiaohui Zhang, MD, PhD5; Jinming Song, MD, PhD5; Rong He, MD2; Min Shi, MD, PhD2; Ji Yuan, MD, PhD2 ([email protected]). 1Mayo High School, Rochester, Minnesota; 2Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; 3Department of Pathology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City; 4Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle; 5Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida.

Context:PICALM::MLLT10 fusion from t(10;11)(p12;q14) is a rare cytogenetic abnormality in acute leukemia. Comprehensive clinicopathologic and genetic characterization of patients with PICALM:: MLLT10 fusion, treated with contemporary therapy, is limited.

Design: Eleven cases of acute leukemia with PICALM::MLLT10 fusion were identified from 2013 to 2022. Clinicopathologic and genetic data were collected.

Results: Patients had a median age of 25 years (range, 0.3–51 years), with a male to female ratio of 5:6. Using the 2016 WHO classification, 7 (64%) had T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL), including 2 (18%) with early T-cell precursor lymphoblastic leukemia, 3 (27%) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and 1 (9%) with mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) (T/B). All 9 patients with radiology studies had extramedullary involvement, with the mediastinum as the most common site involved. The characteristic phenotype of T-ALL was CD4/CD8 double-negative (7 of 7, 100%) with CD7 (6 of 6, 100%) and frequent CD79a expression (2 of 4, 50%). Variable numbers of pathogenic mutations (range, 0–7) were detected by NGS, but no recurrent genetic alteration was found among the 5 cases tested. A complex karyotype was observed in 2 of 7 patients (29%). All patients had intensive chemotherapy, and 2 underwent allogeneic stem cell transplant. Of the 10 patients with follow-up, 5 died after a median follow-up of 18 months (range, 1–61 months). The median overall survival (OS) and 5-year OS rate were 24 months and 38%, respectively.

Conclusions:PICALM::MLLT10 fusion can be detected in T-ALL, AML, and, rarely, in MPAL. It is associated with extramedullary involvement and poor outcome. T-ALL with PICALM::MLLT10 fusion has a characteristic CD4/CD8 double-negative phenotype and frequent CD79a expression.

Clinicopathologic Characteristics of CD5+ and/or CD10+ MYD88-Mutated Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma

(Poster No. 106)

Matthew X. Luo, MD1 ([email protected]); David P. Ng, MD2; Anton Rets, MD, PhD2; Madhu P. Menon, MD, PhD.1 Departments of 1Pathology and 2Hematopathology, University of Utah/ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Context: CD5 and/or CD10 expression in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) is uncommon and could be a diagnostic pitfall vis-à-vis chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and follicular lymphoma (FL). We studied MYD88L265P-mutated CD5+ and/or CD10+ LPL.

Design: A 5-year archive search revealed 8 CD5+ and/or CD10+ MYD88L265P LPL cases (5 CD5+, 2 CD10+/CD5+, 1 CD10+). Bone marrow (BM) aspirates/cores/clots and immunohistochemistry findings for CD20, CD3, LEF1, cyclin D1, BCL6, and CD117 were reviewed. Flow cytometry data were evaluated for median fluorescence intensity (MFI) (FCSExpress 6), using Navios/FC500.

Results: Most patients were male (7 of 8) (median age, 70 years) and had lymphadenopathy (5 of 8). Median M-protein (IgM) was 1.27 g/dL. Morphologically, BMs had 30% median involvement, with predominantly interstitial (6 of 7), intertrabecular (5 of 7), paratrabecular (4 of 7), and diffuse (3 of 7) patterns. All BMs showed plasmacytic differentiation (7 of 7, 5% median plasma cells). Most BMs had a morphologic spectrum: plasma cells, plasmacytoid lymphocytes, and small lymphocytes (6 of 7); increased mast cells (6 of 7); and hemosiderin-laden macrophages (4 of 7). One of 7 cases had prominent Dutcher bodies. By flow cytometry, CD5+ LPL cases showed dim CD20 (3 of 7), CD23+ (4 of 7), CD38+ (5 of 7), and CD200+ (5 of 7). None had dim light chains (0 of 7). Compared with CLL, CD5+ LPL median CD5 and CD23 MFI ratios were consistently lower (Table).

CD5+/CD10+ LPL, CLL, and FL: Immunophenotypic Comparison

CD5+/CD10+ LPL, CLL, and FL: Immunophenotypic Comparison
CD5+/CD10+ LPL, CLL, and FL: Immunophenotypic Comparison

Conclusions: We describe clues to diagnosing CD5/CD10+ LPLs. These cases had a marked male predominance (7:1) and frequent lymphadenopathy without lymphocytosis. Paratrabecular infiltrates and increased mast cells were commonly observed. CD5/CD23 were mostly dim to negative, while CD20 and light-chain intensities were retained (cf. CLL). Although CD200 can be expressed in CD5+ LPL, LEF1 and BCL6 were negative.

Atypical Presentation of Plasmablastic Lymphoma Mimicking Ovarian Cancer and Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

(Poster No. 107)

Jing Di, MD, PhD ([email protected]); Leonard N. Yenwongfai, MD; Andre N. Ene, MD; Sahar Nozad, MD. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive disease showing diffuse proliferation of large malignant cells. It frequently involves the oral cavity and is associated with HIV infection, but it may occur in other extranodal regions, including skin, bone, and central nervous system. Here, we report a case of a 43-year-old woman presenting with abdominal pain and bilious emesis who was found to be HIV positive. Imaging revealed an ovarian mass with extensive peritoneal involvement suggestive of carcinomatosis. She underwent an emergency exploratory laparotomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, and colectomy, which revealed a large 10-cm mass compromising the cecum with ischemic changes of the cecal wall and impending perforation and numerous deposits along the interface of the serosa and mesentery of the small bowel, as well as a large left ovarian mass resembling a Krukenberg tumor. Microscopic examination demonstrated that multiple tissues, including the ovary, fallopian tube (Figure 1.107, A), large and small intestine, and omentum were extensively involved with abundant atypical plasmablastic and plasmacytoid cells, associated with numerous mitoses and apoptotic debris. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for CD138 (Figure 1.107, B), MUM1 (Figure 1.107, C), EBER in situ hybridization (Figure 1.107, D), EMA, and C-MYC and displayed partial dim positivity for CD30 and CD45. They were negative for CD3, PAX5, HHV8, ALK, calretinin, SOX10, and CD68. The overall morphologic findings and immunophenotypic profile were diagnostic of PBL. This case shows an atypical presentation of PBL and emphasizes the importance of considering the possibility of lymphohematopoietic diseases, especially in immunocompromised patients, even in the absence of supportive radiographic findings, to avoid extensive surgery.

Focal Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma of the Bladder: An Extremely Rare Presentation

(Poster No. 108)

Ahmad M. Alkashash, MD ([email protected]); Mehdi Nassiri, MD. Department of Pathology, Indiana University, Indianapolis.

Focal lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma of the bladder has never been reported before. Here we present a case of urinary bladder lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. The patient was a 61-year-old man who first presented with prostatic symptoms in 2014. A transurethral bladder biopsy was performed and showed significant inflammation with lymphocytes/plasma cells and no evidence of carcinoma. Tamsulosin treatment partially improved his symptoms, and he had another biopsy in 2019 that showed reactive-looking urothelium, with chronic inflammatory cells within the urothelium and lamina propria, in addition to numerous nests of amorphous, eosinophilic material that was surrounded by multinucleated giant cells. Immunohistochemistry showed a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate of CD138-positive κ light-chain–predominant plasma cells. No further workup was done owing to loss of tissue. Two years later, the patient underwent cystoscopy and biopsy that showed extensive deposit of amorphous material and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. Immunohistochemistry showed B-cell nodules positive for PAX5, CD20, and CD23. Plasma cells had a larger population of IgM-expressing cells with κ light-chain restriction. Congo red and SSAB stains were negative for amyloid deposits. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was done, and the deposits were found to be composed of κ immunoglobulin light chains and μ immunoglobulin heavy chains. Molecular PCR studies revealed immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) and κ chain (IgK) clonal gene rearrangement and MYD88 L265 mutation. In summary, although primary lymphoma involving the bladder has been reported before, to our knowledge, this is the first report of focal lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma in this location (Figure 1.108).

Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma in Ventricle of Central Nervous System

(Poster No. 109)

Nfn Kiran, MD ([email protected]); Raghunath Ramanarasimhaiah, MD; Meena Kashi, MD; Wei Xue, MD. Department of Pathology, Staten Island University Hospital, Northwell Health, Staten Island, New York.

Dural meningeal marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) has been well recognized; however, ventricle MZL is very rare. We report a case of an 80-year-old woman with a history of hypertension who presented with a 1-year history of frontal throbbing headache not associated with visual changes. Brain MRI showed enhancing soft tissue within the atrium, occipital, and temporal horns of the left lateral ventricle, with interval increase in associated periventricular edema. Histopathology revealed a dense diffuse infiltrate of small lymphoid cells with dark nuclei, inconspicuous nucleoli, and scant to moderate pale cytoplasm with occasional ill-defined aggregates of larger cells with the appearance of germinal centers. Scattered psammomatous calcification was seen in the lymphoid infiltrate and in adjacent dense fibrous tissue. No brain parenchyma was identified (Figure 1.109, A and B). The atypical cells were positive for CD20 (Figure 1.109, C) and PAX5 and negative for cyclin D1, CD5, CD10, CD43, and EBER. Ki-67 was about 20% (Figure 1.109, D). There was marked excess of κ+ plasma cells and plasmacytoid cells compared with λ. A diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma with features consistent with extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) was rendered. Bone marrow biopsy consisted of 10%–20% lymphoma cells. Our patient had no lymphadenopathy or pathologic FDG uptake by whole-body PET-CT scanning; hence, the differential diagnosis included primary ventricle MZL versus systemic MZL involving the ventricle (both are very rare). Either way, the patient had a marked clinical response to radiation of the skull and spine followed by systemic treatment with chemotherapy.

Atypical Mast Cells With KIT Mutation May Be Overshadowed by Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma

(Poster No. 110)

Farshid Kashef, MD, MS1 ([email protected]); Liang Ding, MD, PhD1; Sharmila Ghosh, MD1; Kai Fu, MD, PhD2; Aftab Lalarukh, MD.1 1Department of Pathology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; 2Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York.

Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare (0.5–1.0 per million) peripheral T-cell lymphoma with a male predilection. We report a case of co-occurring EATL and mastocytosis in a 75-year-old White woman with newly diagnosed celiac disease (based on clinical presentation, serology, and duodenal biopsies). Her symptoms got progressively worse despite treatment. She underwent exploratory laparotomy and small-bowel resection. Histopathology showed mucosal ulceration with jejunum mucosal/submucosal polymorphic infiltration of many moderate-sized to large, atypical lymphocytes in a diffuse inflammatory background (Figure 1.110, A). Extensive necrosis involved the full thickness of the bowel wall. Immunohistochemistry studies highlighted positivity of CD3 and CD30 with diffuse CD7 (Figure 1.110, B) and TIA1 and negativity of ALK1, EBER, CD2, CD5, CD20, CD103, and CD56. The Ki-67 index was 40%. Clonal T-cell receptor γδ chain gene rearrangements were detected. The clinical and histologic features were compatible with EATL. Bone marrow biopsy performed for staging of lymphoma revealed spindle-shaped mast cells (Figure 1.110, C) positive for tryptase, CD117, and CD25 (Figure 1.110, D). The presence of c-Kit (D816V) mutation further confirmed mastocytosis. This case demonstrates that the diagnosis of EATL, which commonly involves the jejunum, may be missed if only the duodenum is biopsied, as is usual for evaluation of celiac disease. This is the first case report of co-occurring EATL and mastocytosis. EATL usually carries an aggressive course and a poor prognosis; how mastocytosis/c-Kit mutation affects the course and prognosis of EATL needs close follow-up. The mechanism of the occurrence of EATL and mastocytosis is unknown and needs further study.

Aggressive NK Cell Leukemia: A Rare Cause of Fulminant Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

(Poster No. 111)

Asma Arshia, MBBS ([email protected]); Melissa V. Kesler, MD. Department of Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

Aggressive natural killer (NK) cell leukemia is a rare systemic neoplastic proliferation of NK cells frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and an aggressive clinical course. Clinical manifestations include fever, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, and high serum LDH, and the course is frequently complicated by coagulopathy, hemophagocytic syndrome, and/or multiorgan failure. We report a case of aggressive NK cell leukemia in a 43-year-old woman admitted with shock, splenomegaly, and pancytopenia. Laboratory analysis showed high ferritin levels, markedly elevated serum EBV DNA by PCR, and increased LDH. Bone marrow touch prep showed abnormal large lymphoid cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and distinct nucleoli with associated hemophagocytosis (Figure 1.111, A), while the biopsy (Figure 1.111, B and C) showed an interstitial infiltrate of morphologically similar cells with an NK cell phenotype and EBER positivity comprising approximately 40% of marrow cellularity. Flow cytometry (Figure 1.111, D) showed an atypical NK cell population (10%–12% expressing bright CD45, bright CD38, bright CD56, CD2, bright CD7, CD8, and partial HLA-DR; negative for CD3, CD5, TDT, CD57, T-cell receptor α-β, and T-cell receptor γδ). Aggressive NK cell leukemia carries a poor prognosis with a median survival of only 2 months, and treatment is often difficult owing to accompanying organ dysfunction. Ideally, aggressive NK cell leukemia is treated with PEG asparaginase and ifosfamide-based treatment. However, given her poor liver function, the patient could not tolerate this regimen and was treated with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin. Although rare, timely diagnosis and good clinical information are essential for effective treatment.

IRTA1 Expression by Immunohistochemistry in Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphomas at Various Anatomic Sites

(Poster No. 112)

Narendra Bhattarai, MD ([email protected]); James Cook, MD, PhD. Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.

Context: The diagnosis of extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (MALT lymphoma) is challenging owing to the absence of sensitive and specific immunomarkers, along with morphogenetic heterogeneity at different anatomic sites. We examined the spectrum of immune receptor translocation–associated protein 1 (IRTA1) expression in MALT lymphomas at differing anatomic sites.

Design: Fifty-five cases of MALT lymphomas, from stomach (n = 10), salivary glands (n=10), lungs (n=8), conjunctiva (n=9), skin (n= 10), and breast (n = 8), were selected. IRTA1 immunohistochemistry was performed by using a commercial antibody (EPR21961, Abcam).

Results: At least some expression of IRTA1 was identified in 20 of the 55 cases (36%), with the highest incidence in lung (7 of 8, 87.5%) followed by conjunctiva (4 of 9, 44%). The percentage of B cells positive for IRTA1 ranged from rare scattered cells (<5%) to 50% in 1 pulmonary MALT lymphoma (Figure 1.112, A and B: breast MALT with approximately 10% IRTA1-positive B cells; Figure 1.112, C and D: lung MALT). Twenty-six cases contained lymphoepithelial lesions (LELs), of which 7 (27%) showed IRTA1 staining within the LELs (3 salivary glands, 2 lungs, 1 stomach, and 1 conjunctiva). At least focal areas of monocytoid cells were present in 37 cases, of which 6 (16%) showed positive IRTA1 staining in monocytoid cells.

Conclusions: IRTA1 expression is variable in extranodal MALT lymphoma, and, when present, IRTA1-positive cells typically represent only a small percentage of cells. The neoplastic cells in LELs and monocytoid areas in most cases are negative for IRTA1. The cases exhibiting at least some IRTA1 staining vary by anatomic site, consistent with the concept of differing pathologic features at distinct anatomic locations.

CD274-MLANA–Rearranged Epstein-Barr Virus–Negative Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma

(Poster No. 113)

Ronald K. Phillips III, BS1 ([email protected]); Karen Ferreira, PhD1; ThomasOllila,MD2; AdamOlszewski,MD2; Habibe Kurt, MD1; Diana Treaba, MD.1 Departments of 1Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and 2Division of Hematology-Oncology, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.

Extranodal natural killer cell/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is classically associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. EBV-negative ENKTLs are rare, with exceptionally few detailed case reports published. We present a case of a 58-year-old White man with no significant medical history, admitted after 6 weeks of fever, night sweats, chills, and weight loss. Laboratory results revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and lymphocytopenia. Morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular analysis of a hypercellular bone marrow biopsy revealed involvement by an ENKTL. An incidentally found testicular mass removed via radical orchiectomy uncovered a 1-cm seminoma, areas of testicular atrophy, and patchy lymphoid infiltrates with marked cellular heterogeneity, angiocentricity, and angioinvasion (Figure 1.113, A), fibrinoid necrosis, and a high proliferation rate. The neoplastic lymphoid population coexpressed CD56+ (Figure 1.113, B), mostly cytoplasmic CD3+ (Figure 1.113, C), granzyme B+ (Figure 1.113, D), TIA1+, MUM1+, p53+, CD8+, variably CD30+, and PDL1+. EBV by in situ hybridization was negative. Molecular studies performed on the marrow and testis were negative for TRB and TRG rearrangements, supporting a diagnosis of non-nasal, EBV-negative ENKTL. Genomic analysis revealed a CD274::MLANA fusion, as well as SMARCA4 R1243W and TP53 R273H mutations. CD274::MLANA fusion has been previously described in a case of central nervous system primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and the proposed mechanism of oncogenesis likely involves the loss of inhibitory microRNA binding sites, leading to overexpressed PD-L1 and immune system evasion. To our knowledge, this is the first case of CD274-MLANA–rearranged EBV-negative ENKTL reported, and the PD-L1 expression raises consideration for anti–PD-1 agents in the treatment of these aggressive lymphomas.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia With Coexistent Herpes Lymphadenitis: Report of a Rare Case

(Poster No. 114)

Hossein Hosseini, MD1 ([email protected]); Ahmed Bendari, MBBCh1; Sunder Sham, MBBS1; Jordan M. Steinberg, MD1; Maiko Kondo, MD2; Randy Levine, MD1; Susan C. Jormark, MD1; Alyssa Yurovitsky, MD.1 Departments of 1Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and 2Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York.

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are at an increased risk of infectious complications. Herpes lymphadenitis is rarely encountered in patients with CLL and can mimic high-grade transformation. To our knowledge, there are only 25 cases of localized or regional herpes lymphadenitis in patients with hematologic malignancies reported in the English-language literature. We present a case of an 86-year-old man with a medical history significant for chronic kidney disease, CLL, and Waldenstro¨m macroglobulinemia who was admitted to our institution for uremic encephalopathy. He had been diagnosed with relapsed CLL 3 weeks before his admission but was not receiving treatment. Physical examination revealed cervical, axillary, and inguinal lymphadenopathy. Laboratory results were notable for anemia, thrombocytopenia, markedly elevated BUN and creatinine, and mildly elevated LDH. Imaging demonstrated splenomegaly and intensely FDG-avid retroperitoneal and pelvic lymphadenopathy, suggesting Richter transformation. Inguinal lymph node biopsy showed diffuse proliferation of monotonous small lymphocytes and large areas of necrosis (Figure 1.114, A). Immunohistochemically, the lymphocytes expressed CD5 (Figure 1.114, B), CD20 (Figure 1.114, C), and PAX5 extensively and strongly, and lacked expression of CD23. Cyclin D1 and SOX11 were negative, which excluded mantle cell lymphoma. The Ki-67 proliferation index was low (10%–15%). These findings were consistent with small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)/CLL. GMS and AFB stains were negative. Immunohistochemical stains for HSV1/HSV2 both showed positivity within the necrotic areas (Figure 1.114, D), which confirmed herpes lymphadenitis. The patient subsequently received appropriate antiviral treatment. Although it is rarely encountered, it is prudent to consider herpes lymphadenitis along with high-grade transformation in CLL/SLL patients with extensive lymphadenopathy to avoid unnecessary aggressive chemotherapy.

Extramedullary Hematopoiesis in an Inguinal Lymph Node: An Unusual Presentation of Primary Myelofibrosis

(Poster No. 115)

Nausheen Yaqoob, MBBS, FCPS1 ([email protected]); Neelum Mansoor, MBBS, FCPS2; Hania Naveed, MBBS, FCPS1; Saba Jamal.1 Departments of 1Histopathology and 2Hematology, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan.

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is a proliferation of hematopoietic tissue outside the bone marrow medullary space. It is a pathophysiologic response, associated with either a benign reactive hematologic disease or a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). Identification of EMH in adults is always pathologic. It is highly unlikely for MPNs to present with inguinal lymphadenopathy. We report a case of a 61-year-old man who initially presented with anemia, fatigue, and weight loss. On examination, he had massive splenomegaly. Chest radiography revealed consolidation secondary to right-sided pleural effusion. He was suspected to have a lung carcinoma. Lymph node biopsy revealed extensive fibrosis effacing the nodal architecture. An abnormal blood picture raised the possibility of bone marrow infiltration. Bone marrow revealed hematopoietic precursors within the sinuses and megakaryocytic atypia. An extensive panel of markers tested on lymph node and bone trephine showed increased positivity for CD61. However, the diagnosis was made when cytogenetic analysis was performed. FISH for BCR-ABL1 was negative, while karyotyping revealed balanced and unbalanced translocations between chromosomes 4, 12, and 1, 6, respectively, resulting in gain of 1q. Translocations led to the diagnosis. These are known to be associated with genetic alterations involved in the pathogenesis of primary myelofibrosis. Loss of TP53 plays a critical role in cancer biology. Major protein regulators of TP53 are MDM2 and MDM4, located on chromosomes 1q and 12q, respectively. Awareness of unique clinical presentations and an integrated approach toward diagnosis is the key to challenging cases. Pathologists must consider and correlate all the diagnostic tools, including cytogenetic analysis, before signing out such ambiguous cases (Figure 1.115).

Lymphoma Cells Nonspecifically Bind to PerCp-Cy5.5 Fluorochrome Conjugates: A Rare Phenomenon and Diagnostic Pitfall

(Poster No. 116)

Michael M. Timm, BA ([email protected]); Matthew T. Howard, MD; Dragan Jevremovic, MD, PhD; Ji Yuan, MD, PhD; Dana J. Roh, MS; Pedro Horna, MD; Horatiu Olteanu, MD, PhD; Min Shi, MD, PhD. Department of Hematopathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

PerCP-Cy5.5–based antibody conjugates are widely used for multicolor flow cytometry in clinical practice. We report the first case of a B-cell lymphoma nonspecifically binding PerCP-Cy5.5–conjugated CD34 antibody, mimicking B lymphoblastic leukemia. The patient was an 88-year-old man with a history of bladder carcinoma, heart failure, diabetes, and an unintended 30-lb weight loss for the past year without fever or night sweats. CBC showed Hb 6.8 g/dL, WBC 49 ×109/L, lymphocytes 41 ×109/L, and platelets 133×109/L. CT scanning showed splenomegaly without lymphadenopathy. Peripheral blood smear revealed lymphocytosis with a mature appearance, including condensed chromatin and moderate cytoplasm. Peripheral blood flow cytometry demonstrated a κ light-chain–restricted B-cell population (88% of lymphocytes) that was positive for CD19, CD20, CD22, CD45, and CD79a and negative for CD5, CD10, and CD200. Uniform expression of CD34–PerCp-Cy5.5 by the tumor cells suggested immaturity. However, further investigation revealed the tumor cells had strong immunoreaction to any PerCP-Cy5.5–conjugated antibodies, including CD3, CD11c, CD16, CD23, CD34, and an isotype control. The neoplastic cells were negative for CD3-V450, CD16-APC-H7, CD23-APC, and CD34-BV421. They showed no immunoreaction to other isotype controls for FITC, PE, PE-Cy7, APC, APC-H7, and V450. A PerCP-Cy5.5 “fluorescence minus one” control was negative (Figure 1.116, A through D). To our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate that B-cell lymphoma may strongly bind to PerCP-Cy5.5–conjugated antibodies in an idiotype-independent manner. Identifying this phenomenon could be challenging, especially when an isotype control is not routinely performed. This case emphasizes that integrating morphologic and immunophenotypic features is essential to making an accurate diagnosis.

Extracavitary Primary Effusion Lymphoma With Aberrant CD3 Expression

(Poster No. 117)

Charmaine Joyce L. Ilagan, MD ([email protected]); Yiannis Petros Dimopoulos, MD; Metin Ozdemirli, MD, PhD. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia.

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare, aggressive HHV-8–associated large B-cell lymphoma occurring usually in the setting of HIV infection. Pleural, pericardial, or peritoneal effusions are the typical presentations; however, extracavitary solid variants can occur. Aberrant expression of T-cell markers is rare. We report a case of an extracavitary variant of PEL with this unusual immunophenotype. A 59-year-old man with a history of poorly controlled HIV infection (CD4 count: 10 cells/μL; HIV viral load: 85 597 copies/mL), Epstein-Barr virus viremia (1006 copies/mL), and skin squamous and basal cell carcinomas presented with dyspnea and upper extremity swelling, with concerns for superior vena cava syndrome. A right hilar mass (7.2 cm) was identified on imaging, initially concerning for metastasis. Endobronchial biopsies revealed atypical lymphoid cells in the submucosa (Figure 1.117, A). The cells showed diffuse positivity for MUM-1, Ki-67, HHV-8 (Figure 1.117, B), and EBER (Figure 1.117, C), and weak positivity for cytoplasmic CD3 (Figure 1.117, D), CD30, and CD45. The cells were negative for other B-cell markers and CD138. PCR studies revealed monoclonal immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene rearrangement and polyclonal T-cell receptor gene rearrangement. Pleural effusion was negative. The diagnosis of HHV-8–positive large B-cell lymphoma with aberrant CD3 expression was rendered, and treatment was administered (EPOCH-R). After initial response to treatment, the patient eventually developed a large brain mass and passed away. Pathologists should be cognizant of aberrant T-cell marker expression and lack of conventional B-cell marker expression in extracavitary PEL and maintain a high index of suspicion for this entity in HIV patients.

Blastoid Variant of Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A Case With Unusual Clinical Presentation and Coexisting BCL6 Gene Rearrangement

(Poster No. 118)

Jiani N. Chai, MD, PhD ([email protected]); Azal Al Ani, MD; Yanhua Wang, MD, PhD; Xuejun Tian, MD, PhD. Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma with different variants that often cause diagnostic confusion. We present a case of a 61-year-old woman who presented with leukocytosis (WBC, 46.7 k/μL). A peripheral blood smear showed abundant intermediate-large cells with fine chromatin and moderate cytoplasm resembling blasts (Figure 1.118, A). Flow cytometry revealed an abnormal population in the blast gate (Figure 1.118, B), which raised concern for acute leukemia. Further flow analysis revealed the abnormal population to be positive for CD19, CD5, CD23 (heterogeneous), CD45, IgM, FMC7, ZAP70, and κ and negative for CD10, CD200, and λ. The immunophenotype was consistent with CD5+ mature B-cell lymphoma with blastoid morphology. Imaging studies revealed diffuse lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. Axillary lymph node biopsy revealed atypical lymphoid infiltration with predominantly small lymphocytes (Figure 1.118, C). The atypical cells were positive for CD5, CD19, CD20, PAX5, BCL-1 (Figure 1.118, D), and BCL-2 and negative for CD10, TdT, BCL6, and LMP1. Ki-67 was up to 80%. p53 was weakly positive in a subset of cells. In addition to the characteristic t(11:14), FISH also detected BCL6 rearrangement. A diagnosis of MCL with aggressive features was rendered on tissue biopsy. The patient died shortly after initial presentation despite aggressive treatment. Autopsy showed multiorgan involvement of MCL, including the liver, lung, spleen, gallbladder, and bone marrow, with a spectrum of morphologic presentations. The discordant histomorphology of this case, including the blastoid variant/leukemic phase in the peripheral blood and smallcell variant in the lymph node, posed a diagnostic challenge. BCL6 rearrangement occurs rarely in MCL; whether this has any prognostic value remains to be investigated.

Atypical Lymphoid Infiltrates in Gastric Biopsies: Clinicopathologic Features and Follow-Up

(Poster No. 119)

Moyosore D. Awobajo, MD1 ([email protected]); Jacob P. Ritter, MD1; Raina R. Flores, MD1; Alia N. Nazarullah, MD1; Daniel D. Mais, MD.2 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky.

Context: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma mostly arises within gastric mucosa. Diagnosis can be challenging owing to lack of specific immunophenotypic or genetic abnormalities. Identifying atypical lymphoid infiltrates (ALIs) is a reflection of this diagnostic challenge. The criteria and significance of ALIs in gastric biopsies are not clearly established. We aim to study the clinicopathologic features of gastric ALIs and correlate them with follow-up data.

Design: A retrospective review was performed in patients diagnosed with ALI and MALT lymphoma on gastric biopsies from 2010 to 2020. Sixty-two cases were identified and correlated with clinicopathologic follow-up information to identify evidence of progression to lymphoma.

Results: Of 62 cases, 37 (60%) with gastric ALIs showed no evidence of lymphoma on follow-up biopsy. Four (6%) with ALIs showed evidence of MALT lymphoma on subsequent biopsy. Ten (16%) were diagnosed as MALT lymphoma on initial biopsy. Eleven ALI cases (18%) were lost to follow-up. Compared with ALIs without progression, ALIs with progression and MALT lymphoma cases showed frequent lymphoepithelial lesions (LELs), aberrant immunophenotype, and evidence of clonal B-cell gene rearrangement. No significant correlation with Helicobacter pylori was identified (Table).

Clinicopathologic Features of Gastric ALIs

Clinicopathologic Features of Gastric ALIs
Clinicopathologic Features of Gastric ALIs

Conclusions: Most gastric ALIs show no evidence of progression to lymphoma. Presence of frequent LELs, aberrant phenotype, and IgH clonality are high-risk features that warrant close follow-up for progression to MALT lymphoma.

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Pediatric Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

(Poster No. 120)

Anup Jnawali, MD1 ([email protected]); Jacob Bledsoe, MD.2 1Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester; 2Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Context: Prompt diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is essential, and characteristic immunophenotypic features, including negativity for CD34 and HLA-DR, have been described mostly in adult populations.

Design: Flow cytometric and morphologic data from 24 cases of pediatric APL with PML-RARA at a single institution from 1999 to 2021 were reviewed. Comparison of frequency of antigen expression between hypergranular and microgranular variants was performed with a 2-tailed Fisher exact test.

Results: HLA-DR was negative or minor subset/dim in 100% of hypergranular and 55% of microgranular cases of APL (P=.01). CD34 negativity and combined HLA-DR/CD34 negativity were present in 69% of hypergranular and just 9% of microgranular cases (P=.005). CD34 was uniformly positive in 45% of microgranular and 15% of hypergranular cases (P = .18). Monocyte marker CD64, CD14, or dim/subset CD4 expression was present in 75%, 33%, and 30% of hypergranular cases and 63%, 25%, and 57% of microgranular cases, respectively. At least subset CD2 expression was seen in 88% of microgranular and 33% of hypergranular cases of APL (P=.049). The most common immunophenotype for hypergranular APL in this cohort was CD34 HLA-DR CD64+ CD14/+ CD4/+ CD2/+, while microgranular APL was CD34+/subset HLA-DR/subset CD64+ CD4dim/subset CD2dim/subset CD14/+ (Table).

Immunophenotype of Pediatric Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Immunophenotype of Pediatric Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia