Solar elastotic material in dermal lymphatics and lymph nodes Journal Article


Authors: Pulitzer, M. P.; Gerami, P.; Busam, K.
Article Title: Solar elastotic material in dermal lymphatics and lymph nodes
Abstract: The movement of material via passive mechanical transport through lymphatic channels (also known as benign mechanical transport) is a physiologic mechanism invoked to explain the occasional presence of benign heterotopic tissues within lymph nodes. However, historically, the concept of benign mechanical transport has provoked controversy. The proof of this concept is of fundamental importance to the claim that foreign cells or cellular aggregates found within a sentinel lymph node do not necessarily represent clinically relevant metastatic disease. Herein we present the previously undescribed finding of solar elastotic material within the dermal lymphatics, and/or capsules, subcapsular sinuses, and parenchyma of lymph nodes of 9 patients. Eight of the patients were treated and/or staged for cutaneous melanoma; one had Merkel cell carcinoma. Solar elastotic material was found in lymph nodes in association with metastatic melanoma, nodal melanocytic nevi, and in otherwise unremarkable lymph nodes lacking extrinsic cells. These findings support the concept of the mechanical transport of both benign and malignant tissues through lymphatics and document that passively transported material can appear in any compartment of the lymph node; an important concept to give evidence for, as it offers a sound explanation for the presence of some cellular deposits within lymphoid tissue and supports the assertion that some of these deposits are benign. © 2010 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Keywords: aged; aged, 80 and over; lymph nodes; sentinel lymph node biopsy; metabolism; melanoma; skin neoplasms; pathology; dermis; radiation exposure; lymph vessel; skin; lymphatic vessels; skin tumor; nevus, pigmented; lymph node; merkel cell tumor; carcinoma, merkel cell; sunlight; biological transport; transport at the cellular level; benign mechanical transport; nodal nevus; solar elastosis; elastic tissue; pigmented nevus
Journal Title: American Journal of Surgical Pathology
Volume: 34
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0147-5185
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2010-10-01
Start Page: 1492
End Page: 1497
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/PAS.0b013e3181ef7902
PUBMED: 20829679
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 1" - "Export Date: 20 April 2011" - "CODEN: AJSPD" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Melissa P Pulitzer
    203 Pulitzer
  2. Klaus J Busam
    688 Busam