Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of two cases.
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Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
E Agapitos
Publications and source records attributed to E Agapitos.
Prenatal ultrasonographic detection of the tracheal atresia sequence.
We report a rare case of tracheal atresia, without fistula, in a 19 weeks' female fetus. The abnormality was detected by prenatal ultrasonography, which demonstrated a bilateral and uniform hyperechogenicity and enlargement of the lungs, associated with ascites and moderate oligohydramnios. We suggest that oligohydramnios may be helpful in distinguishing the upper respiratory tract obstruction from congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lungs, type III. A morphometric study revealed a three-fold more dense pulmonary vasculature in comparison with two control cases of the same gestational age. The pathological finding of pulmonary and vascular hyperplasia as well as the pathophysiology of the syndrome are discussed.
Adult↗
Subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy (Leigh's disease): a clinicopathologic study of ten cases.
Archival material and clinical data of 10 autopsy cases of Leigh's disease (LS), aged from 44 days to 9 years at death, were reviewed. Development delay, irregular respiration, feeding difficulty, and abnormal eye signs were the most common symptoms. Seizures (five of ten cases) were also frequent. In most patients, the diagnosis of LS was established postmortemly by the presence of symmetrical spongiform lesions affecting several brain centers at autopsy. The histologic examination disclosed associated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in six cases, while fatty infiltration of the hepatocytes was observed in four cases. Microvesicular degeneration of the renal tubular epithelial cells was also seen in four cases. Our observations suggest that liver and kidney involvement is a component of LS and that this rare entity has to be considered as a polysystematic disorder, able to affect other organs besides the nervous system and the heart, a fact which has not been emphasized enough in the existing literature.
Autopsy↗
The application of image analysis in the measurement of the myocardial infarct area in an experimental model.
BACKGROUND: Thrombolytic therapy improves left ventricular ejection fraction and survival. Using the image analysis method, the study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of intraaortic balloon pump used in conjunction with reperfusion in reducing infarct size by measuring the infarct area. Also, the usefulness of image analysis as an objective method for the measurement of myocardial infarct area is evaluated. METHODS: 22 dogs were subjected to proximal left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion. The dogs were classified into 3 groups. In group I (n = 7), occlusion lasted for 6 hours. In group II (n = 6), 2 hours of occlusion were followed by reperfusion. In group III, (n = 9) after 2 hours of occlusion, the dogs were assisted with the intraaortic balloon pump throughout the 4 hours of reperfusion. The measurement of the infarcted area components (fragmentation, edema, hemorrhage and polymorphonuclear infiltrations) was followed by a semiautomatic method including in connection a microscope photographic camera, a scanner and a computer with the appropriate software. The results were analyzed statistically using the t-test. RESULT: In group I, the mean value of fragmentation was 28.2%, in group II, 10.1% (p < 0.01 versus group I) and in group III, 3.9% (p < 0.01 versus I and p < 0.05 versus group II). CONCLUSION: Reperfusion and intraaortic balloon pump increased the salvage of the ischemic myocardium over that achieved by reperfusion alone in a canine occlusion - reperfusion model. Image analysis could be considered as an accurate and objective method for the measurement of the myocardial infarct area in the experimental model of our study and it could be used in any other experimental study in which the accurate measurement of myocardial infarct area is needed.
Animals↗
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma of brain occurring after cardiac transplantation.
This case report concerns a case of NHL which affected a 56 year-old patient after cardiac transplantation. The patient was hospitalized because of worsening congestive failure. Despite maximal medical treatment the patient continued to be in NYHA Class III-IV and underwent orthotopic cardiac allograft transplantation. The NHL developed in the CNS eighteen months after surgery and had a very quick lethal progression.
Brain Neoplasms↗
Lung squamous cell carcinoma presenting with brain metastases in an HIV-positive patient.
The case history of a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and HIV infection is described, who presented clinically with CNS symptomatology. No association of the tumor with human papilloma virus was found.
Adult↗
The myocardial fibrosis in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The application of image analysis in the myocardial biopsies.
BACKGROUND: The aim of our study is to investigate whether myocardial fibrosis measured by image analysis may be considered as an important and accurate index of dilated cardiomyopathy and its prognosis. METHODS: The study group consisted of 24 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, which was diagnosed by echocardiography, radionuclide ventriculography, cardiac catheterization, and left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy. The patients' overall disability was conventionally expressed with the criteria for functional capacity. Using image analysis, the percentage of fibrosis in a total of 35 myocardial biopsies was accurately measured, followed by a study comparing the percentage of myocardial fibrosis and the clinical parameters (left ventricular ejection fraction and overall functional capacity), showing the degree of each patient's heart failure. RESULTS: A correlation was found among fibrosis, left ventricular ejection fraction, and overall functional capacity. The cases with small values of fibrosis (< 10%) have big values of ejection fraction and belong to Class I of overall functional capacity. The cases with big values of fibrosis (> 10%) belong to Classes III and IV of overall functional capacity and have small values of ejection fraction. The results of the comparative study were graphically presented and considered significant. CONCLUSION: Myocardial fibrosis measured by image analysis might be considered an important prognostic index of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Adult↗
Epithelial, possibly precancerous, lesions of the lung in relation to smoking, passive smoking, and socio-demographic variables.
We have undertaken an autopsy-based study to evaluate the etiologic importance of active and passive smoking, as well as socio-demographic variables, in the development of pathologic precursors of lung cancer. Lung specimens were taken at autopsy from 531 persons who had died within four hours from a cause other than respiratory or cancer in Athens (Greece) or the surrounding area. Specimens were examined blindly for basal cell hyperplasia, squamous cell metaplasia, cell atypia and mucous cell metaplasia, i.e., pathological entities considered as epithelial, possibly precancerous, lesions (EPPL). Interviews were conducted with next of kin of the deceased. Suitable autopsy specimens as well as completed interviews were eventually available for 275 subjects. EPPL score was regressed on the available independent variables. EPPL score was higher among active smokers than among nonsmokers, while ex-smokers occupied an intermediate position. Conditional on smoking habits, EPPL score was higher among women than among men and higher among manual than among non-manual workers, in agreement with the corresponding patterns with respect to lung cancer. Nonsmoking women married to ever smokers had significantly higher EPPL score than those married to never smokers. The overall findings of this study suggest that EPPL is a valuable indicator of lung cancer risk and that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is associated with higher EPPL levels and therefore with higher lung cancer risk.
Adult↗
Primary Sjögren's syndrome complicated by hemolytic uremic syndrome.
We describe a case of primary Sjögren's syndrome complicated by hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), possibly the first report of this association. The immunohistochemical findings suggest that immune complexes may have contributed to the endothelial injury and the pathogenesis of HUS in this case.
Female↗
The contribution of pathological examination of the placenta in the investigation of the causes of foetal mortality.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of histological examination of the placenta during routine post-mortem examination of foetal, perinatal and early neonatal deaths with particular reference to the cause of death. Three hundred (300) placentas were examinated over a period of three years (1988-1991). The clinical history, autopsy examination and placental histological examination were taken into account to determine the cause of death. Autopsy findings revealed the cause of death in only 33 cases (12.9%). In contrast, placental examination allowed us to determine the cause of death in 123 cases (48.4%) especially in abortions (54.4%). The most frequent abnormalities found were vascular insufficiency in intrauterine deaths (16.47%) and acute chorioamnionitis with foetal involvement in abortions (31.4%). Fifty six (56) cases with diagnoses of acute chorioamnionitis, chronic villitis of unknown aetiology and erythroblastosis were classified in the highrisk group for a subsequent pregnancy. Routine histological examination of the placenta following a perinatal death constitutes a necessary complement to autopsy examination, as it provides essential information for the cause of death and therefore helps in planning and more effective prenatal monitoring of a future pregnancy.
Abortion, Spontaneous↗
The role of factor XIIIa in the mesenchymatogenesis of the human placenta: an immunohistochemical analysis.
Human placentas from normal pregnancies [9], interrupted pregnancies due to congenital anomalies of the fetuses [7] and legal abortions [9] were examined immunohistochemically using monoclonal antiserum for factor XIIIa. Hofbauer cells of the chorionic villi were strongly positive for factor XIIIa. Deeper staining in early pregnancy reflects the greater numbers of Hofbauer cells in this period of gestation. Our findings support the hypothesis that the presence of factor XIIIa in the Hofbauer cells promotes the maturation of the chorionic villi.
Chorionic Villi↗
Estimation of the percentage of carotid atheromatous plaque components and investigation of a probable correlation with the neurologic status of the patients.
The aim of this study was to estimate the percentage of the carotid atherosclerotic plaque components using image analysis in 50 cases of carotid endarterectomies as well as the search for a probable correlation with the neurologic status of the patients. According to their preoperational neurologic status, the patients were classified as asymptomatic (Group I), symptomatic-TIA (Group II) and symptomatic-previous stroke (Group III). For the image analysis and the exact estimation of the carotid plaque components, special algorithms were developed. The following plaque components were measured: fibrous component, calcium, cellular infiltrations, cholesterol and hemorrhage. Between the groups I-III, there was not found any statistically significant difference of the mean value of all the estimated parameters. Our results indicate that the morphology of the carotid atheromatous plaque seems not to be correlated with the neurologic status of the patients.
Aged↗
Immunohistochemical detection of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in the aortic wall of atherosclerotic rabbits.
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Animals↗
Cystadenolymphoma of the parotid gland an immunohistochemical study of the epithelial component of twenty cases.
Carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, Keratin, Desmin, Vimentin, CD30, lysozyme, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, S-100 protein, somatostatin and glucagon were looked for using immunohistochemical methods in the epithelial component of 20 parotid gland cystadenolymphomas and 20 normal parotid glands. Carcino-embryonic antigen, ephithelial membrane antigen, S-100 protein, and somatostatin were found in the epithelial cells of most of the cystadenolymphomas. In normal parotid tissue, carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, Keratin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, and S-100 protein were found in all three types of ductal cells, somatostatin only in intercalated and striated ductal cells, and lysozyme only in acinar and intercalated ductal cells. Desmin and CD30 were found in the epithelial component of seven of the 20 tumors versus none of the 20 normal parotid glands. Glucagon and Vimentin were negative both in tumor epithelial cells and in normal parotid ductal cells. Our results support the theory that cystadenolymphomas arise from epithelial cells. The presence of lysozyme in the epithelial tumor cells and in the intercalated ductal cells of normal parotid tissue suggest that cystadenolymphomas may arise from the intercalated ducts. The presence of S-100 and somatostatin may indicate that the tumor derives from neuroendocrine structures, but further studies are needed to clarify this point.
Adenolymphoma↗
Meckel-Gruber syndrome associated with Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome.
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Abnormalities, Multiple↗
Subcutaneous sacrococcygeal myxopapillary ependymoma. A case report.
A case of myxopapillary ependymoma presenting as a primary tumor of the subcutaneous tissue of the sacrococcygeal area is reported. The tumor usually presents as an asymptomatic mass at the base of the spine in young individuals and may therefore be mistaken for a pilonidal cyst. The clinical and pathological features of this tumor are discussed.
Adult↗
A comparative study of pulsed Nd:YAG and CO2 laser effect on aortic valves.
Laser angioplasty is a promising new technology, which sometimes offers the surgeon an alternative tool to conventional therapy. One of the main prerequisites of using powerful pulsed lasers in angioplasty is the optimum choice of the irradiation parameters (the wavelength, the pulse shape and duration, the energy parameters). Infrared lasers have numerous applications in surgery. Among them the pulsed CO2 laser emitting at 10.6 microns and the pulsed Nd:YAG laser emitting at 1.064 microns are the most widely used, since the delivery of laser energy in short pulses of high peak pulse power limits distant thermal effects. The CO2 laser wavelength is greatly absorbed by tissue water, while the Nd:YAG laser wavelength is poorly absorbed by water or other tissue chromophores, affecting deeper the tissue. The CO2 laser incises effectively the tissue, but presents inadequate coagulation, while the Nd:YAG laser seems to present better coagulation properties. In this work, a comparative study of pulsed Nd:YAG and CO2 lasers in ablating cardiovascular tissue, is presented. The irradiation regime of the two lasers is determined, for the specific tissue and/or pathology. Also the depth of thermally induced coagulation is measured. The results are presented according to the efficacy of each laser for incision and/or coagulation.
Angioplasty, Laser↗
Interpretation of diagnostic implications of fluorescence parameters for atherosclerosis in fibrous, calcified and normal arteries.
Fluorescence spectroscopy presents great interest for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis. Nevertheless there are some difficulties in the interpretation of diagnostic information. This could be overcome by precise methods of extraction of the diagnostic parameters and convenient statistical analysis, which are the subject of this work. Fluorescence excitation-emission matrices from different categories of coronary arteries were developed and used to derive the optimum excitation wavelength on the one hand and to assign the spectra to specific chromophores on the other hand. Simple dimensionless functions (Fi) were formed by the ratio of the intensities at selected wavelength and the logistic model was used for statistical analysis. Decision surfaces were drawn and it was estimated that the probability of correct classification is 88%. The algorithm correctly diagnoses 97% of healthy from diseased samples and 80% of fibrous from calcified coronary arteries.
Algorithms↗