Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour with perineurial differentiation and hyaline eosinophilic globules (thanatosomes): A rare tumour

Malays J Pathol. 2018 Dec;40(3):355-358.

Abstract

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) with perineurial differentiation is a rare variant of MPNST. The pathological features and clinical significance of this variant remain to be characterised. We reported the clinicoradiological and pathological features of a case of recurrent right arm mass related to the ulnar nerve in a 42-year-old female patient. On pathological examination, the tumour showed dual features of conventional and perineurial MPNST which was proven by positive immunostaining for S-100 and EMA. The pathological diagnosis was MPNST with perineurial differentiation. In addition, a peculiar and rare finding of intracytoplasmic eosinophilic hyaline globules (thanatosomes) within tumour cells is reported. We document a rare tumour with hybrid features between conventional and perineurial MPNSTs. Further studies are needed to establish its biological behaviour.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Female
  • Forearm / diagnostic imaging
  • Forearm / pathology*
  • Forearm / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hyalin / metabolism
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neurofibrosarcoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Neurofibrosarcoma / metabolism
  • Neurofibrosarcoma / pathology*
  • Neurofibrosarcoma / surgery
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / surgery
  • Ultrasonography