Incidental mesonephric remnant hyperplasia of the jejunal mesentery: A diagnostic challenge

José-Fernando Val-Bernal1, Marta M Mayorga2, Adriana K Calapaquí-Terán2

  • 1Pathology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Cantabria and IDIVAL Research Institute, Santander, Spain.

Insights

Mesonephric remnants, embryonic vestiges, can appear in the jejunal mesentery, a new location. Immunohistochemistry is key to distinguishing these benign lesions from carcinoma, preventing misdiagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Embryonic development and pathology
  • Surgical pathology and diagnostic challenges
  • Gastrointestinal and reproductive system anatomy

Background:

  • Mesonephric (Wolffian) ducts are embryonic structures that typically regress during development.
  • Remnants can persist and form lesions, uncommonly reported in reproductive tracts.
  • These lesions can mimic malignancy, leading to diagnostic difficulties.

Observation:

  • A case of mesonephric remnant hyperplasia in the jejunal mesentery of a 47-year-old male is reported.
  • This represents the first documented instance of mesonephric hyperplasia occurring in the mesentery.
  • The lesion presented as ducts, tubules, and cysts with bland epithelial cells, exhibiting a pseudoinfiltrative pattern.

Findings:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis revealed characteristic staining patterns for mesonephric epithelia.
  • CD10 highlighted the apical-luminal aspect of the cells.
  • Intense reactivity for high-molecular-weight cytokeratin (CK), CK7, bcl2, and vimentin was observed.

Implications:

  • Accurate diagnosis is crucial to avoid overdiagnosis of neoplasia.
  • Differential diagnoses include mesothelial hyperplasia, mesothelioma, neuroendocrine tumors, and prostate adenocarcinoma infiltration.
  • Familiarity with mesonephric remnants in new locations, like the mesentery, is essential for pathologists.

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