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Azzopardi Phenomenon

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  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Pathology

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Pathology ((EP))

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Synonyms

Azzopardi effect

Definition

The Azzopardi phenomenon (AP) is defined by the presence of basophilic material, represented by degenerated nuclear content, encrusted in blood vessels wall (mainly venules and capillaries). This is a fairly common finding in histological sections of high-grade neoplasms (e.g., small cell carcinoma of the lung, but also other tumors may show AP) stained with hematoxylin/eosin.

Features

The encrustation of basophilic material in blood vessels wall near necrotic areas of high grade neoplasms has been observed for a long time, being initially interpreted as calcium deposits. In fact, AP has been named from John G. Azzopardi, who was the first to demonstrate that the basophilic encrustation was due to deposits of DNA and other degenerated nuclear material from necrotic cells. He revised 100 small cell lung carcinomas, observing this phenomenon in 32 cases, showing that the basophilic material was negative for von Kossa and alizarin red stains...

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References and Further Reading

  • Azzopardi, J. G. (1959). Oat-cell carcinoma of the bronchus. The Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology, 78, 513–519.

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  • Chan, J. K. (2014). The wonderful colors of the hematoxylin-eosin stain in diagnostic surgical pathology. International Journal of Surgical Pathology, 22, 12–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chatterjee, K. (2015). The Azzopardi phenomenon. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 19, 280–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Natu, S., Langton, D. J., & Sidaginamale, R. P. (2017). Azzopardi phenomenon reported in metal-on-metal arthroplasties is in fact iron encrustation of blood vessels. Human Pathology, 62, 245–246.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peng, S. L., Cheng, C. N., & Chang, K. C. (2007). Burkitt lymphoma with Azzopardi phenomenon. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 131, 682–683.

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  • Pritt, B. S., & Cooper, K. (2003). The Azzopardi phenomenon. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 127, 1231.

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  • Takei, H., Adesina, A. M., & Bhattacharjee, M. B. (2007). The Azzopardi phenomenon. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 131, 518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vazmitel, M., Michal, M., & Kazakov, D. V. (2007). Merkel cell carcinoma and Azzopardi phenomenon. The American Journal of Dermatopathology, 29, 314–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zustin, J., Skinner, J. A., & Hart, A. J. (2016). Azzopardi phenomenon in cystic pseudotumours associated with retrieved metal-on-metal arthroplasty. Human Pathology, 51, 134–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Pathology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy

    Silvia Uccella

Authors
  1. Silvia Uccella
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Correspondence to Silvia Uccella .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. NIJMEGEN, The Netherlands

    J.H.J.M. van Krieken

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Uccella, S. (2022). Azzopardi Phenomenon. In: van Krieken, J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Pathology. Encyclopedia of Pathology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28845-1_5299-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28845-1_5299-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-28845-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-28845-1

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