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Signet-ring cell appearance of atrophic fat cells

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Abstract

Cells with ‘signet-ring’ appearance were found at post-mortem examination of a man with a history of chronic illness, weight loss and multiple regions of ‘bowel thickening’ during life. Due to the decedent’s history, the finding raised the possibility of disseminated signet-ring adenocarcinoma. However, the vacuoles did not stain for mucin and the cells did not stain for keratin. The cells did stain for calretinin and so a diagnosis of signet ring mesothelioma was considered. However, it was suggested that the cells with a cytoplasmic vacuole displacing the nucleus to one side producing the signet-ring appearance were instead atrophic fat cells. This was subsequently proven by Oil Red O staining.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forensic Science SA, GPO Box 2790, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia

    John D. Gilbert & Neil E. I. Langlois

  2. School of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Neil E. I. Langlois & Andrew Ruszkiewicz

  3. Anatomical Pathology, SA Pathology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Andrew Ruszkiewicz

  4. Anatomical Pathology, SA Pathology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia

    David Moffat

  5. Anatomical Pathology, SA Pathology, Frome Rd, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Kathy Cash

Authors
  1. John D. Gilbert
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  2. Neil E. I. Langlois
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  3. Andrew Ruszkiewicz
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  4. David Moffat
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  5. Kathy Cash
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Contributions

Dr. John Gilbert suggested the diagnosis. A/Prof Andrew Ruszkiewicz & Dr. David Moffat provided histological opinions; A/Prof Andrew Ruszkiewicz also assisted with the manuscript. Ms. Kathy Cash performed the frozen section staining. A/Prof Neil E I Langlois constructed the case report.

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Correspondence to Neil E. I. Langlois.

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Gilbert, J.D., Langlois, N.E.I., Ruszkiewicz, A. et al. Signet-ring cell appearance of atrophic fat cells. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 17, 141–143 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-020-00292-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-020-00292-7

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