Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, accounting for an annual estimated 1.8 million incident cases. With the increasing number of colonoscopies being performed, colorectal biopsies make up a large proportion of any histopathology laboratory workload. We trained and validated a unique artificial intelligence (AI) deep learning model as an assistive tool to screen for colonic malignancies in colorectal specimens, in order to improve cancer detection and classification; enabling busy pathologists to focus on higher order decision-making tasks. The study cohort consists of Whole Slide Images (WSI) obtained from 294 colorectal specimens. Qritive’s unique composite algorithm comprises both a deep learning model based on a Faster Region Based Convolutional Neural Network (Faster-RCNN) architecture for instance segmentation with a ResNet-101 feature extraction backbone that provides glandular segmentation, and a classical machine learning classifier. The initial training used pathologists’ annotations on a cohort of 66,191 image tiles extracted from 39 WSIs. A subsequent application of a classical machine learning-based slide classifier sorted the WSIs into ‘low risk’ (benign, inflammation) and ‘high risk’ (dysplasia, malignancy) categories. We further trained the composite AI-model’s performance on a larger cohort of 105 resections WSIs and then validated our findings on a cohort of 150 biopsies WSIs against the classifications of two independently blinded pathologists. We evaluated the area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC) and other performance metrics. The AI model achieved an AUC of 0.917 in the validation cohort, with excellent sensitivity (97.4%) in detection of high risk features of dysplasia and malignancy. We demonstrate an unique composite AI-model incorporating both a glandular segmentation deep learning model and a classical machine learning classifier, with excellent sensitivity in picking up high risk colorectal features. As such, AI plays a role as a potential screening tool in assisting busy pathologists by outlining the dysplastic and malignant glands.
BackgroundHeterotopic pancreas most commonly occurs in the upper gastrointestinal tract of adults, usually as an incidental finding. It seldom occurs at the umbilicus, and even rarely in the pediatric age group.Case presentationHere we present a case of heterotopic pancreatic tissue in the omphalomesenteric duct remnant of a 9-month-old baby girl. She presented with redness at the base of the umbilicus associated with occasional mild wetness. A urachal fistula was suspected by ultrasound. Histology from subsequent resection revealed fibrous tissue with heterotopic pancreatic tissue and accompanying small bowel mucosa. The patient’s umbilical redness resolved after the surgery.ConclusionsUpon literature search, we found only 17 other cases of heterotopic pancreas reported in the umbilicus. They described a high male to female ratio, frequent association with omphalomesenteric duct remnant and presentation of umbilical discharge. The Heinrich system is frequently used to classify heterotopic pancreas into 3 types, based on the presence of acini, islets and ducts. Several mechanisms have been proposed on the pathogenesis of heterotopic pancreas, including misplacement, metaplasia and totipotent cell theories. Heterotopic pancreas can manifest clinically with diseases of the pancreas, including malignant transformation, reported as high as 12.7% in a series. Awareness of this finding in the biopsy aids the suitable treatment decisions for the patient.
Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) is a rare neoplasm involving the heart, pericardium or both. Patients with PCL have a median survival of approximately 7 months based on literature. We report a unique case of a 63-year-old woman presenting with worsening exertional dyspnoea and symptoms of superior vena cava obstruction. Investigations revealed a large right atrial (RA) tumour with obstructive features. In the past, PCL was frequently diagnosed at postmortem but with modern imaging and biopsy techniques, this allows early diagnosis and treatment of this rapidly fatal disease. Our patient had a trans-jugular venous biopsy of the RA mass under trans-oesophageal echocardiography guidance. This confirmed the diagnosis of PCL. She subsequently completed seven cycles of chemotherapy and is currently in remission 20 months after diagnosis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.