Nodular hematopoiesis of the liver diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology

A case of tumor-like extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) of the liver diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology guided by computer tomography (CT) is reported. The initial clinical diagnosis was metastatic carcinoma from an adrenal gland primary. Five other cases of tumor-like EMH diagnosed by FNA have been presented in the literature. In two of the cases, the primary clinical diagnosis was metastatic tumor. The most common location for tumor-like EMH is paravertebral and intrathoracic. Three such cases of paravertebral tumor-like EMH have been diagnosed by FNA. Nodular EMH can be found rarely in other organs as in the liver.

Follicular carcinoma arising in ectopic thyroid tissue: case report with fine-needle aspiration findings

A 32-yr-old woman was found to have a 1 x 2 cm mass in the soft tissue of the neck 1 cm lateral to the left lobe of the thyroid gland. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy showed a follicular neoplasm. The excised mass showed a follicular carcinoma arising in lateral ectopic thyroid tissue. Subsequent excision of the thyroid gland and pathological examination showed no primary carcinoma in the gland. This report illustrates a case of primary follicular carcinoma arising in a lateral ectopic thyroid tissue in the neck.

Spindle cell carcinoma of right lower alveolus. A case report

A case report of spindle cell carcinoma of the right mandibular alveolus is reported, which clinically mimicked a squamous cell carcinoma. Careful histological interpretation is necessary for successful treatment of such tumors. The use of radiation therapy after radical neck dissection is also stressed upon.

Evidence for cytochrome P-450 as a source of catalytic iron in myoglobinuric acute renal failure

Iron has been implicated to play an important role in several models of tissue injury, including myoglobinuric acute renal failure. In this model, myoglobin released from the injured muscle is generally accepted as a source of iron. In the present study we measured the bleomycin-detectable iron (iron capable of catalyzing free radical reactions) in the kidneys and examined the role of cytochrome P-450 as a source of catalytic iron in glycerol-induced model of myoglobinuric acute renal failure. Rats were injected with 50% glycerol (8 ml/kg) i.m. after overnight water deprivation and sacrificed 24 hours later. There was a marked and a specific increase in the bleomycin-detectable iron content accompanied by a marked decrease in the cytochrome P-450 content in the kidneys of glycerol treated rats. We then examined the effects of two different cytochrome P-450 inhibitors, cimetidine (with ranitidine as a control) and piperonyl butoxide. Cimetidine, but not ranitidine, significantly prevented the increase of bleomycin-detectable iron in the kidneys of glycerol-treated rats. The loss of cytochrome P-450 content was substantially blocked by both inhibitors, cimetidine and piperonyl butoxide, but not by ranitidine. Both the inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 provided functional (as measured by BUN and creatinine) and histological protection against glycerol-induced acute renal failure. Our data thus demonstrate a marked increase in bleomycin-detectable iron in the kidneys of glycerol-treated rats. Our data also indicate that inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 provide protection against glycerol-induced acute renal failure and that cytochrome P-450 may be a significant source of this iron in this model of acute renal failure.

Bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnosis of fungal disease. Five years' experience in a southern United States rural area with many blastomycosis cases

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relative frequency of Blastomyces dermatitidis among other microorganisms in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens.

STUDY DESIGN

The study group consisted of 208 BAL specimens received from 192 patients from March 1988 to August 1993.

RESULTS

Forty-seven specimens from 42 patients were positive for pathogenic microorganisms, and 2 other specimens were diagnostic of malignancy. Pneumocystis carinii (23 specimens) was the most common microorganism found in the specimens. Candida spp (10 specimens) was the second most common microorganism, and B dermatitidis (5 specimens) was the third. Cryptococcus neoformans (3 patients), Histoplasma capsulatum (2 patients) and Conidiobolus coronatus (1 patient) were the other fungi detected in BAL. Acid-fast bacilli, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus were also found (1 patient each). Several patients had more than one organism.

CONCLUSION

B dermatitidis was the third most common microorganism found in BAL specimens at our hospital.

Alteration of Wilms' tumor staging by cytologic detection of malignant cells in chylous ascites

Accurate staging as per National Wilms' Tumor Study (NWTS) criteria is essential for therapy of Wilms' tumor. We report a unique case of a 9-mo-old white male in whom the diagnosis based upon clinical, radiological, surgical, and initial histopathologic findings was Stage I Wilms' tumor without regard to a positive cytologic examination of a small amount (5 ml) of chylous ascitic fluid obtained intraoperatively. This problem was clarified later at the NWTS panel review when the deeper recuts of a renal hilar lymph node revealed a single cluster of Wilms' tumor cells in capsular sinus, resulting in upstaging of tumor to Stage III. The significance of these findings in relation to staging will be discussed.

Medulloblastoma metastatic to breast, diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy

The extracranial spread of a primary intracranial tumor is an infrequent occurrence. The most common metastatic sites in order of frequency are bone, lymph nodes, and soft tissue. Analysis of the literature uncovered only two case reports of medulloblastoma that had metastasized to the breast. Both of these cases were diagnosed by open surgical biopsies. We present a case of medulloblastoma metastatic to the breast which was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. This diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by a tru-cut surgical biopsy and was further supported by immunohistochemical studies.

Severe derangement of the coagulation profile following multiple bee stings in a 2-year-old boy

Occasionally, insect bites producing systemic complications are the reason for admission to paediatric intensive care. We report an interesting case of multiple bee stings in a 2-year-old boy. The boy, who was stung more than 200 times by honey bees, had a severely deranged coagulation profile with marked elevation of the hepatic enzymes. This complication has not been reported to date. Prompt intensive supportive care led to the child's total recovery.

Bacteriology of neonatal septicaemia in a rural referral hospital in south India

Out of 640 suspected cases of neonatal septicaemia studied, bacteraemia was detected in 255 (40 per cent) of the infants. Gram negative organisms were predominant (56 per cent) with Pseudomonas, Citrobacter, and Klebsiella as the commonest pathogens. Among the Gram positive organisms both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were equally prevalent. Staphylococci were mainly responsible for early onset infections, whereas Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas were the main organisms in late onset infections. Group B streptococcal infection was not encountered in this part of the country.

Bone changes in Herpes simplex infection mimicking congenital syphilis: case report

A great many perinatal infections may be missed, especially during the early months of life, owing to their diverse modes of presentation. A simple skeletal survey is a helpful radiological study, in addition to virological and serological suspected Herpes simplex infection.

Unusual presentation of cytomegaloviral infection in a 5-month-old baby: case report

Painful restricted movements of the extremities, hyperpigmentation over swollen joints, and a sclerema-like feel to the skin with increased serum triglyceride was seen in a 5-month-old baby with postnatal CMV infection. In an infant with pseudoparalysis of the limbs, the possibility of CMV infection has to be considered.

Effect of selenium-deficient diet in experimental glomerular disease

We examined the effect of a selenium-deficient diet on two experimental models of glomerular disease, the puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced nephrotic syndrome, a model of minimal change disease, and passive Heymann nephritis, a complement-dependent and neutrophil-independent model that resembles membranous nephropathy. The specific activity of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase was markedly reduced in the liver, the kidney cortex, and in glomeruli in weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats placed on a selenium-deficient diet for 6 wk compared with rats fed a selenium-replete diet, with no significant differences in the specific activities of superoxide dismutase or catalase. PAN-injected selenium-deficient rats had a marked and significantly greater proteinuria throughout the course of the experiment compared with PAN-injected selenium-replete rats with no significant histological differences. In the passive Heymann nephritis model induced by injecting anti-Fx1A immunoglobulin G, rats fed a selenium-deficient diet had significantly higher urinary protein (day 5: 91 +/- 16 mg/24 h, n = 10) compared with rats fed a selenium-replete diet (52 +/- 5 mg/24 h, n = 11) with no differences in the amount of antibody deposited in the kidney. The most likely explanation for the effect of a selenium-deficient diet is that selenium deficiency resulted in a marked reduction of glutathione peroxidase, thus indicating an important role of glutathione peroxidase in these models of glomerular injury.

Quantitation of proteinuria using protein-creatinine ratio in random urine samples

Estimation of proteinuria in children is cumbersome when a 24 h urine collection is needed. In the presence of a stable glomerular filtration rate, the ratio of urinary protein and creatinine should reflect the protein excretion. One hundred samples of urine (24 h and random samples) were collected from 50 children with nephrotic syndrome, 25 with nephrotic syndrome in remission and 25 normal children. The 24 h urine total protein and random urine protein-creatinine ratio were assessed on these samples. Linear regression analysis of the results showed excellent correlation between the values (r = 0.81, p less than 0.001). A random urine protein-creatinine ratio of greater than 3.5 correlated with massive proteinuria, while a ratio less than 0.2 was suggestive of physiological values. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the protein-creatinine ratio in massive proteinuria were very high. We conclude that the random urine protein-creatinine ratio can be used reliably to assess the degree of proteinuria in children.

Neonatal citrobacter sepsis: clinical and epidemiological aspects

Fourteen neonates were diagnosed to have Citrobacter sepsis during 1986-89, representing 4.6% of all cases with bacteriologically proven sepsis. Most of these infants were low birth weight (mean 2046 gm, +/- 750) and preterm (mean 34.8 weeks, +/- 3.8). Mean age at onset of sepsis was five days. In 10 cases the hematological profile was suggestive of sepsis. Infants had clinical evidence of multisystem infection; 2 with septic arthritis and 3 meningitis. The case fatality rate was 61%. Resistance to antibiotics was frequent. Citrobacter species were also cultured from other sites: umbilical stumps, eye swabs, urine, skin pustules and umbilical catheter tips. The epidemiological features and virulence of this organism call for vigilance and strict control measures.

Isolated CNS involvement in Ewing's sarcoma

Ewing's sarcoma, an uncommon malignant neoplasm of bone, represents about 10% of all the malignant primary bone tumors. The assumption that subclinical metastases are already present in patients with apparently localized tumor indicates the need for systemic therapy as an integral part of primary treatment. The usual sites of metastases are the lungs and skeletal system. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is rare and is usually seen only in disseminated and fairly advanced disease. We report two patients in whom, after aggressive adjuvant chemotherapy, disease developed in the CNS without local recurrence. In one patient, meningeal involvement with malignant cells was identifiable in the cerebrospinal fluid; in the second patient, who presented with a space-occupying lesion, a diagnosis of arachnoid involvement was made histologically.

Serum apolipoproteins A and B, lecithin: cholesterol acyl transferase activities and urinary cholesterol levels in nephrotic syndrome patients before and during steroid treatment

Serum apolipoproteins A (Apo-A) and B (Apo-B) and lecithin: cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) activities and 24-hour urinary cholesterol levels were estimated in 25 nephrotic children before and during steroid treatment with 4 weeks of daily prednisolone followed by another 4 weeks of alternate-day prednisolone. The patients with untreated nephrotic syndrome (NS) showed significant decrease in serum Apo-A and LCAT activities associated with significant increase in serum Apo-B and urinary cholesterol levels compared to healthy controls (n = 25). Serum Apo-A levels correlated directly and Apo-B levels inversely with the serum albumin concentrations. After a transient elevation, the serum Apo-A level returned to control range by 8 weeks of treatment accompanied by a gradual increase in serum LCAT activity and decrease in urinary cholesterol excretion. Though, the serum Apo-B level was decreased with treatment, it was still significantly high compared to the controls.

Fabry's disease in a heterozygous woman

Fabry's disease is a rare, X-linked disorder of glycolipid metabolism that is usually recognized in men in the third and fourth decades of life. A heterozygous state in women has been documented, but reports about women who are affected are confined to isolated case reports and to rare small series. We report a case of a 42-year-old woman with persistent proteinuria who was found to have Fabry's disease. The characteristic lesion was readily seen using routine high-resolution light microscopy (HRLM) tissue sections without the need of multiple extra tissue sections and special stains. We discuss the correlation of clinical findings, fluorescent microscopy, HRLM, electron microscopy, and biochemical enzymatic studies in establishing the diagnosis.