Background. Gastric intestinal metaplasia increases the risk of gastric cancer by nine times. Although attempts are made to diagnose it using endoscopic methods, the final diagnosis is established by examining and reporting biopsy samples. Although there are studies in the literature that do not recommend routine special staining, many laboratories routinely perform alcian blue/periodic acid Schiffs (AB/PAS) staining, in addition to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. In this study, we examined the need for performing routine special staining. Methods. Seven hundred forty-one consecutive gastric biopsies obtained from the archive of our laboratory in 2019 were included in the study. One day after evaluating the cases using H&E, they were evaluated with AB/PAS without examining the H&E results. Result. All of the intestinal metaplasia lesions detected in H&E were observed with AB/PAS. However, we missed 14 (13.73%) of 102 intestinal metaplasia lesions with H&E that we detected using AB/PAS. We found the sensitivity and specificity of H&E in detecting intestinal metaplasia were 86.3% and 99.7%, respectively. When we retrospectively examined the 14 missed lesions in H&E staining, we could observe intestinal metaplasia in six biopsies, but it was not possible in eight (7.8%). Conclusion. Considering that gastric intestinal metaplasia is a precancerous lesion, we think that this ratio (13.73%) is high and that the number of malignancies can be reduced with a low-cost special stain. In this context, we advocate and recommend routinely performing inexpensive special staining such as AB/PAS to detect intestinal metaplasia in all gastric biopsies.

An epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare vascular tumor of the head and neck region, which carries a risk of recurrence and metastasis. Its etiology is still unclear. It frequently involves the lungs, liver, and bones. Rarely, it may manifest in other parts of the body. Pathologic immunohistochemical investigations are essential to make the definite diagnosis. As it is uncommon, there is no standardized protocol for the treatment of EHE. Herein, the authors report a rare patient with of an EHE localized in the head and neck region.

Vascular malformations of uterus are extremely rare, benign lesions. A survey of the literature identified fewer than 50 cases of hemangioma of the uterus. Here, we describe a rare case of a cavernous hemangiomatous polyp in 36 years old non pregnant wowan with endometrial polypectomy. A vascular lesions localized to a portion of the uterus may be clinically silent during pregnancy and throughout delivery thus making it difficult to detect. Though rare, it may be an important differential in any female patient who presents with non-responsive uterine bleeding and/or unremitting pelvic pain.

Focal acral hyperkeratosis (FAH) is a rare genodermatosis. FAH is usually observed in the second or third decades of life, and it is a type of palmoplantar keratoderma, a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by abnormal incrassation of the palms and soles. Although it is an autosomal dominant inher- itance, it could also be sporadic. It is also known as a rare variant of Costa’s Acrokeratoelastoidosis (AKE). Its etiology is not known clearly and there is no effective treatment. In the present study, a 43-year-old recently diagnosed FAH case is presented due to its rarity and frequent confusion with AKE based on current literature.

The formation of pulmonary nodules is associated with benign or malignant pathologies. Based on the sizes, growth rates, and morphological features of nodules, surgical treatment or follow-up can be performed. Pulmonary nodules are frequently encountered in the practice of thoracic surgery. A 37-year-old male patient who had a 2.0¥1.9 cm nodule in the right lung was followed. His medical history revealed no chronic disease. During follow-up, the sizes of the nodule increased and, therefore, it was removed by wedge resection. The pathological examination result was reported as a larval granuloma. In conclusion, larval granulomas in the lung are extremely rare phenomena and should be further examined.