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Review
. 2017 Jul 1;1(7):957-964.
doi: 10.1210/js.2017-00208.

Max Schottelius: Pioneer in Pheochromocytoma

Birke Bausch  1 , Arthur S Tischler  2 , Kurt W Schmid  3 , Helena Leijon  4 , Charis Eng  5 , Hartmut P H Neumann  6
Affiliations
Review

Max Schottelius: Pioneer in Pheochromocytoma

Birke Bausch et al. J Endocr Soc. .

Abstract

First descriptions of diseases attract tremendous interest because they reveal scientific insight even in retrospect. Max Schottelius, the pathologist contributing the first histological description of pheochromocytoma, remains anonymous. We reviewed the description by Schottelius and weighed the report in modern context. Schottelius described the classical diagnostic elements of pheochromocytoma, including the brown appearance after exposure to chromate-containing Mueller's fixative. This color change, known as chromaffin reaction, results from oxidation of catecholamines and is reflected in the name pheochromocytoma, meaning dusky-colored chromate-positive tumor. Thus Schottelius performed the first known histochemical contribution to diagnosis, which is today standard with immunohistochemistry for chromogranin.

Keywords: Max Schottelius; Müller's solution; chromaffine tumors; pheochromocytoma.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A selected pheochromocytoma fixed and stained by Mueller’s solution. Shown is the macroscopic appearance of a cross-section through the middle of the tumor. (a) Unfixed and unstained. (b) Fixed and stained by Mueller’s solution.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Portrait of Max Schottelius.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The Institute of Hygiene at the University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany, when opened in 1897.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Max Schottelius and his passions. (a) Max Schottelius in his beloved car with his wife and his only daughter. (b) Max Schottelius (left, sitting) on his sail boat at Lake Constance.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Modern histology of pheochromocytoma. (a) Hematoxylin and eosin stain. (b–d) Immunohistochemistry using chromogranin (b), synaptophysin (c), and S-100 (d).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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