Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Chetty

Publications and source records attributed to R Chetty.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Pseudocysts of the adrenal gland.

Three cases of pseudocysts or hemorrhagic cysts of the adrenal gland were encountered in female patients who presented with loin pain. The adrenalectomy specimens contained cystic structures; 2 had fibrous walls containing organizing blood clot, the remaining lesion was thin walled and contained blood stained fluid. Fat, normal adrenal cortical tissue and calcification were found within the cysts. These lesions (arising from vascular anomalies) require separation from hemorrhagic adrenal neoplasms. Awareness of adrenal pseudocysts and careful attention to the histological features aids this distinction.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗

Primary small cell carcinoma of the pancreas.

A 59 yr old male presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. CT scan showed a tumor in the pancreas with secondaries in the liver, peri-pancreatic lymph nodes, vertebral bone marrow and subcutaneous tissue of the neck together with a cervical lymph node. The patient died after 2 wks and autopsy revealed complete replacement of the pancreas by tumor. Careful dissection of both lungs failed to show any tumor. A diagnosis of primary small cell carcinoma of the pancreas was made. Review of the literature indicates that this type of carcinoma accounts for about 1% of all pancreatic cancers and is commoner in elderly males who have a history of cigarette smoking. There is usually a rapid progression of disease and widespread dissemination, especially if untreated. Some success has been obtained with chemotherapy.

Carcinoma, Small Cell↗

Leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.

A primary leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid was seen in a 54 yr old female. The patient had a solitary, cold nodule with no abnormalities of thyroid function tests. Histologically it was composed of characteristic interlacing fascicles of spindle cells which, electron microscopically, showed thin myofilaments with focal dense bodies. Immunohistochemistry showed a strong reaction with vimentin, smooth muscle actin and desmin. No epithelial differentiation was noted immunohistochemically or ultrastructurally. No tumor recurrence was detected 15 mths after surgery. It is postulated that the smooth muscle differentiation had arisen by metaplastic change or de-differentiation with re-differentiation of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

Cytoskeletal Proteins↗

Primary biphasic lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma of the lung. A mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with compartmentalization of plasma cells in the lung and lymph nodes.

A primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the lung in a 27-year-old man was found. The tumor was composed mainly of centrocyte-like cells and plasma cells. These two components were demarcated sharply from each other, resulting in a zoning or biphasic pattern. This characteristic pattern also was present in the involved regional lymph nodes. Monoclonality of tumor cells was shown immunohistochemically and by in situ hybridization techniques. This article also highlights the use of in situ hybridization in detecting light chain mRNA in paraffin sections.

Adult↗

Malignant granular cell tumor of the breast.

A primary malignant granular cell tumor (MGCT) in the breast is presented. The tumor showed mitoses, pleomorphism, necrosis and regional lymph node spread. While local excision is the best form of treatment, MGCT can spread rapidly to lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and bone. This lesion is an uncommon primary malignancy of breast with only 4 other cases reported.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Auricular granuloma annulare. A consequence of trauma?

Localized granuloma annulare (GA) is a cutaneous disorder characterized by the formation of palisading necrobiotic granulomas. Although trauma and vasculitis have been considered, the etiology of most cases remains obscure and the disease is generally considered to be idiopathic. The condition may occur at any age and at any site, but usually involves the hands or feet of children or young adults, predominantly affecting females. We present two cases occurring as nodules involving the external ears of males. One of these showed a bilateral distribution and was clearly related to trauma.

Adult↗

Hurthle cell neoplasms of the thyroid gland revisited.

Hurthle cell tumours (benign and malignant) have been regarded as lesions with uncertain biological behaviour. However recent clinico-pathological studies have shown that they should be categorized as benign or malignant on the basis of capsular and/or vascular invasion, like other differentiated thyroid neoplasms. The fact that the tumours are composed of Hurthle cells is irrelevant. Currently, histological parameters do not seem to predict biological behaviour of Hurthle cell carcinomas.

Adenoma↗

Well differentiated (benign) papillary mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis.

An unusual mesothelial lesion occurred in the tunica vaginalis of the testis. It conformed histologically and immunohistochemically to well differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the peritoneum. Its aetiology remains uncertain, but this lesion, more than likely, is innocuous. It is important to recognise this entity, which is not well documented in the tunica vaginalis, because it may be misdiagnosed as a malignant mesothelioma and the patient may be subjected to unnecessary treatment.

Adolescent↗

Management of invasive thymoma at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town.

Fifteen patients (median age 55 years; range 23-69 years) with macroscopic invasive thymoma or thymic carcinoma were treated at Groote Schuur Hospital between 1969 and 1988. Stage 3 (macroscopically invasive) disease was present in 12 patients (80%) and stage 4 (metastatic disease) in 3 (20%). Ten of the patients with stage 3 disease were treated by combined surgery and full-dose mediastinal irradiation; in 2 resection was not possible and they were treated with irradiation alone. One of the patients with stage 3 disease developed progressive thymoma (median follow-up 74 months). This patient and 2 others died; 1 from mediastinitis after surgery for thymic carcinoma and 1 of unrelated disease. Both patients treated by irradiation alone were free of disease at follow-up. In the patients with stage 3 disease, the relapse rate was 8% (crude) and the 5-year disease-free survival rate 86% (life table). The patients with stage 4 disease received cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy, which was combined with further irradiation and debulking surgery in 2 of the 3 cases. These patients died of malignant disease at between 5 and 42 months, although 1 had a temporary response to chemotherapy. Tumour extent is the most important prognostic factor in these patients. A multidisciplinary approach to therapy is required.

Adult↗

Silicosis among gemstone workers in South Africa: tiger's-eye pneumoconiosis.

Six cases of silicosis in workers involved in the processing of semiprecious gem stones have been seen in our clinic since 1976. They had been employed as stone sculptors in lapidaries where they processed tiger's-eye, rose quartz, amethyst, quartz crystal, and a variety of other locally occurring semiprecious stones. In five of the cases, exposure was in small and poorly regulated lapidaries without specific dust control measures. The sixth was detected during the course of a health and hygiene survey (including dust sampling) that was conducted in one of two lapidaries still operating in our area. Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) or accelerated silicosis was noted in four of the six cases, three of whom had progression of their disease after cessation of exposure. With the development of PMF, the initial restrictive pulmonary function abnormalities were followed by steadily worsening airflow obstruction. Lung biopsies confirmed silicosis in three cases. Tuberculosis was confirmed in two cases and suspected and treated in a third. Workmen's Compensation was awarded in five cases. The survey confirmed that in semiprecious gem stone processing, the risk of silicosis appears to be confined to stone sculptors. Tried and proven techniques of general and local exhaust ventilation combined with water or oil to control dust at source were capable of effectively reducing dust emission to acceptable levels.

Adult↗

Chordoma: a 20-year clinicopathologic review of the experience at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town.

Eighteen chordomas (11 females and 7 males) were seen over a 20-year period; 61% of the tumors occurred in the sphenoid region. The youngest patient was 3 years old and had a family history of chordoma. Histologically, the tumors were divided into classical (epithelial) and chondroid variants, which in this series, had no effect on outcome. Follow-up on 12 patients ranged from 3 to 170 months, and they were treated with various combinations of surgery and radiotherapy. One patient was administered the neutron beam and died after 94 months. The mean survival of this series is 73.4 months, with a survival rate of 50% (6 out of 12 patients alive). Surgical resection offers the best chance of survival, but chordomas have a propensity to metastasize, hence have a poor prognosis.

Adult↗

Parathyroiditis associated with hyperparathyroidism and branchial cysts.

A 57-year-old man had renal stones, and biochemical investigation led to a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgical exploration revealed bilateral inferior parathyroid enlargement. Both glands were removed; macroscopically, small cysts were seen on cut sections. Histologic examination showed broad bands of fibrosis, lymphoid follicles, and plasma cells that diffusely effaced the parathyroid architecture. Such features--if seen in the thyroid gland--would be reminiscent of an autoimmune process. The cysts were lined by respiratory and squamous epithelia and contained lymphoid follicles in their walls. Less affected areas of the parathyroid tissue were hyperplastic. It is believed that the inflammatory response in the parathyroid glands that is described in this article may be characteristic. It may result from the cysts or their contents or from an autoimmune reaction.

Branchioma↗

Primary oesophageal rhabdomyosarcoma.

A case is presented of a rhabdomyosarcoma of the oesophagus with a description of the cytology, light microscopy, and immunocytochemical findings and a discussion of spindle cell tumours occurring at this site. Cytologically, large bizarre shaped pleomorphic cells were seen in which desmin was demonstrated in order to confirm the diagnosis after destaining a Papanicolaou stained slide and restaining it with antibody to desmin.

Carcinoma↗