NEET MDS Lessons
General Pathology
Salivary gland pathology
Inflammation
a. Sialolithiasis produces a secondary inflammatory reaction to obstruction and the resultant enlargement of ducts by stones. It may be complicated by actual infection with mouth flora.
b. Sialadenitis is a primary inflammatory reaction, but it is not always infectious. It may be part of an autoimmune disease (e.g., Sjogren's syndrome), or the result of bacterial or virals (e.g., mumps) infection.
Sjögren’s syndrome
a. An autoimmune disease of the salivary and lacrimal glands.
b. Autonuclear antibodies (ANAs) against salivary ducts may be seen.
c. Triad of symptoms include:
(1) Xerostomia—from decreased saliva production.
(2) Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes)—from decreased tear production.
(3) Rheumatoid arthritis.
(4) Enlargement of the salivary or lacrimal glands, known as Mikulicz syndrome, may also be observed.
d. Histologically, a dense infiltration of the gland by lymphocytes is observed.
Tumors
The parotid gland accounts for more than three-quarters of these tumors, most of which are benign. Of the remainder, more occur in the submandibular gland than in the sublingual, and most of these are malignant. Many are surgically, cured, but local recurrence is common.
a. Pleomorphic adenoma is generally benign and accounts for approximately three-quarters of all salivary gland tumors. If is composed of multiple epithelial and mesenchymal cell types. Complications may arise due to involvement of cranial nerve VII.
(a) The most common salivary gland tumor.
(b) Is benign.
(c) Prognosis is good after proper surgical excision.
b. Warthin's tumor (adenolymphoma) is also benign, occuring almost exclusively in the parotid gland. It is grossly cystic.
Microscopic examination reveals cell types suggestive of branchial cleft origin embedded in a lymphoid matrix.
c. Mucoepidermoid tumors also occur primarily in the parotid and have a high rate of malignant transformation.The malignant component is usually squamous cell. Prognosis of tumor depends on grade and stage of disease.
d. Cylindroma (adenoid cysticc. Mucoepidermoid tumors carcinoma) is more common in the minor salivary glands found in the oral mucosa, and metastases are more common than in other tumors of the salivary glands. Facial nerve complications are frequent.
(1) Grossly, the tumor forms multiple lobules surrounded by a capsule.
(2) Microscopically, small cells form glands containin mucoid material
Post viral (post hepatitic) cirrhosis (15-20%)
Cause:- Viral hepatitis (mostly HBV or HCV)
Acute hepatitis → chronic hepatitis → cirrhosis.
Pathology
Liver is shrunken. Fatty change is absent (except with HCV). Cirrhosis is mixed.
M/E :-
Hepatocytes-show degeneration, necrosis as other types of cirrhosis.
Fibrous septa -They are thick and immature (more cellular and vascular).
- Irregular margins (piece meal necrosis).
- Heavy lymphocytic infiltrate.
Prognosis:- - More rapid course than alcoholic cirrhosis.Hepatocellular carcinoma is more liable to occur
IMMUNITY AND RESISTANCE TO INFECTION
Body's resistance to infection depends upon:
I. Defence mechanisms at surfaces and portals of entry.
II. Nonspecific or innate immunity
Ill. Specific immune response.
I. Surface Defence Mechanisms
1. Skin:
(i) Mechanical barrier of keratin and desquamation.
(ii) Resident commensal organisms
(iii)Acidity of sweat.
(iv) Unsaturated fatty acids of sebum
2. Oropharyngeal
(i)Resident flora
(ii) Saliva, rich in lysozyme, mucin and Immunoglobulins (lgA).
3. Gastrointestinal tract.-
(i) Gastric HCI
(ii) Commensal organisms in Intestine
(iii) Bile salts
(iv) IgA.
(v) Diarrhoeal expulsion of irritants.
4. Respiratory tract:
(i) Trapping in turbinates
(ii) Mucus trapping
(iii) Expulsion by coughing and sneezing.
(iv) Ciliary propulsion.
(V) Lysozymes and antibodies in secretion.
(vi) Phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages.
5. Urinary tract:
(i) Flushing action.
(ii) Acidity
(iii) Phagocytosis by urothelial cells.
6. Vagina.-
(i) Desquamation.
(ii) Acid barrier.
(iii) Doderlein's bacilli (Lactobacilli)
7. Conjunctiva:
Lysozymes and IgA in tears
II. Nonspecific or Innate Immunity
1. Genetic factors
- Species: Guinea pig is very susceptible to tuberculosis.
- Race: Negroes are more susceptible to tuberculosis than whites
- Sickle cells (HbS-a genetic determined Haemoglobinopathy resistant to Malarial parasite.
2. Age Extremes of age are more susceptible.
3. Hormonal status. Low resistance in:
- Diabetes Mellitus.
- Increased corticosteroid levels.
- Hypothyroidism
4. Phagocytosis. Infections can Occur in :
- Qualitative or quantitative defects in neutrophils and monocytes.
- Diseases of mononuclear phagocytic system (Reticuloendothelial cells-RES).
- Overload blockade of RES.
5. Humoral factors
- Lysozyme.
- Opsonins.
- Complement
- Interferon (antiviral agent secreted by cells infected by virus)
III. The Specific Immune Response
Definition
The immune response comprises all the phenomenon resulting from specific interaction
of cells of the immune-system with antigen. As a consequence of this interaction cells
, appear that mediate cellular immune response as well cells that synthesis and secrete
immunoglobulins
Hence the immune response has 2 components.
1. Cell mediated immunity (CMI).
2:. Humoral immunity (antibodies)
(I) Macrophages. Constituent of the M. P. S. These engulf the antigenic material.
(i) Most of the engulfed antigen is destroyed to' prevent a high dose paralysis of the Immune competent cells.
(ii) Some of it persists in the macrophage, retaining immunogenecity for continued stimulus to the immune system.
(iii)The antigenic information is passed on to effectors cells. There are two proposed mechanisms for this:
(a) As messenger RNA with code for the specific antibody.
(b) As antigen-RNA complexes.
(2) Lymphocytes. There are 2 main classes recognized by surface characteristics.
(A) T-Lymyhocytes (thymus dependant) :- These are responsible for cellular immunity . On exposure to antigen
- They transform to immunoblasts which divide to form the effectors cells.
- They secrete lymphokines These are
- Monocyte migration inhibition factor
- Macrophage activation factor
- Chemotactic factor
- Mitogenic factor
- Transfer factor
- Lymphotoxin which kills target cell
- Interferon.
- Inflammatory factor which increases permeability. .
- Some remain as 1onglived memory cell for a quicker recognition on re-exposure
- They also modify immune response by other lymphocytes in the form of “T – helper cells “ and “T-suppressor” cells
- They are responsible for graft rejection
(B) B-Lymphocytes (Bursa dependent). In birds the Bursa of Fabricious controls these cells. In man, its role is taken up by," gut associated lymphoid tissue)
(i) They are responsible for antibody synthesis. On stimulation they undergo blastic transformation and then differentiation to plasma cells, the site of immunoglobulin synthesis.
(ii) They also form memory cells. But these are probably short lived.
(C) In addition to T & B lymphocytes, there are some lymphocytes without the surface markers of either of them. These are 'null' cells-the-natural Killer (N,K.) cells and cells responsible for antibody dependent cellular-cytotoxicity.
(3) Plasma cells. These are the effectors cells of humoral immunity. They produce the immunoglobins, which are the effector molecules.
Staphylococcal aureus
- cutaneous infections
- furuncles (boils)
- carbuncles (more complicated furuncle with multiple sinuses)
- impetigo (often mixed with Streptococcus and has a more bullous appearance than crusted)
- hidradenitis suppurative (abscess of apocrine glands→e.g., axilla)
- nail bed (paronychial infection)
- postoperative wound or stitch abscess
- postpartum breast abscesses
toxin related skin rashes
- infants and young children develop toxic epidermal necrolysis or Ritter's syndrome (scalded baby syndrome)→large, red areas of denuded skin and generalized bulla formation.
- toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is due to a toxin producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus (bacteriophage induced) usually, but not exclusively in tampon wearing (hyperabsorbent type), menstruating women; 1-4 day prodrome of high fever, myalgias, arthralgias, mental confusion, diarrhea and on erythematous rash that occurs during or soon after menses; rash predominantly on hands and feet with eventual desquamation in 5-12 days.
HAEMORRHAGIC DISORDERS
Normal homeostasis depends on
-Capillary integrity and tissue support.
- Platelets; number and function
(a) For integrity of capillary endothelium and platelet plug by adhesion and aggregation
(b) Vasoactive substances for vasoconstriction
(c) Platelet factor for coagulation.
(d) clot retraction.
- Fibrinolytic system(mainly Plasmin) : which keeps the coagulatian system in check.
Coagulation disorders
These may be factors :
Deficiency .of factors
- Genetic.
- Vitamin K deficiency.
- Liver disease.
- Secondary to disseminated intravascular coagulation.or defibrinatian
Overactive fibrinolytic system.
Inhibitors of the factars (immune, acquired).
Anticoagulant therapy as in myocardial infarctian.
Haemophilia. Genetic disease transmitted as X linked recessive trait. Comman in Europe. Defect in fcatorVII Haemophilia A .or in fact .or IX-Haemaphilia B (rarer).
Features:
- May manifest in infancy or later.
- Severity depends on degree of deficiency.
- Persistant woundbleeding.
- Easy Bruising with Haemotoma formation
Nose bleed , arthrosis, abdominal pain with fever and leucocytosis
Prognosis is good with prevention of trauma and-transfusion of Fresh blood or fTesh plasma except for danger of developing immune inhibitors.
Von Willebrand's disease. Capillary fragility and decreased factor VIII (due to deficient stimulatory factor). It is transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner both. Sexes affected equally
Vitamin K Deficiency. Vitamin K is needed for synthesis of factor II,VII,IX and X.
Deficiency maybe due to:
Obstructive jaundice.
Steatorrhoea.
Gut sterilisation by antibiotics.
Liver disease results in :
Deficient synthesis of factor I II, V, Vll, IX and X Incseased fibrinolysis (as liver is the site of detoxification of activators ).
Defibrination syndrome. occurs when factors are depleted due to disseminated .intravascular coagulation (DIC). It is initiated by endothelial damage or tissue factor entering the circulation.
Causes
Obstetric accidents, especially amniotic fluid embolism. Septicaemia. .
Hypersensitivity reactions.
Disseminated malignancy.
Snake bite.
Vascular defects :
(Non thrombocytopenic purpura).
Acquired :
Simple purpura a seen in women. It is probably endocrinal
Senile parpura in old people due to reduced tissue support to vessels
Allergic or toxic damage to endothelium due to Infections like Typhoid Septicemia
Col!agen diseases.
Scurvy
Uraemia damage to endothelium (platelet defects).
Drugs like aspirin. tranquillisers, Streptomvcin pencillin etc.
Henoc schonlien purpura Widespeard vasculitis due to hypersensitivity to bacteria or foodstuff
It manifests as :
Pulrpurric rashes.
Arthralgia.
Abdominal pain.
Nephritis and haematuria.
Hereditary :
(a) Haemhoragic telangieclasia. Spider like tortous vessels which bleed easily. There are disseminated lesions in skin, mucosa and viscera.
(b) Hereditary capillary fragilily similar to the vascular component of von Willbrand’s disease
.(c) Ehler Danlos Syndrome which is a connective tissue defect with skin, vascular and joint manifestations.
Platelet defects
These may be :
(I) Qualitative thromboasthenia and thrombocytopathy.
(2) Thrombocytopenia :Reduction in number.
(a) Primary or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
(b) Secondary to :
(i) Drugs especially sedormid
(ii) Leukaemias
(iii) Aplastic-anaemia.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Commoner in young females.
Manifests as :
Acute self limiting type.
Chronic recurring type.
Features:
(i) Spontaneous bleeding and easy bruisability
(ii)Skin (petechiae), mucus membrane (epistaxis) lesions and sometimes visceral lesions involving any organ.
Thrombocytopenia with abnormal forms of platelets.
Marrow shows increased megakaryocytes with immature forms,
vacuolation, and lack of platelet budding.
Pathogenesis:
hypersensitivity to infective agent in acute type.
Plasma thrombocytopenic factor ( Antibody in nature) in chronic type
Aneurysm
An aneurysm is a localized abnormal dilation of a blood vessel or the heart
Types:
1. True aneurysm - it involves all three layers of the arterial wall (intima, media, and adventitia) or the attenuated wall of the heart.
e.g. Atherosclerotic, syphilitic, and congenital aneurysms, and ventricular aneurysms that follow transmural myocardial infarctions.
2 False aneurysm
(also called pseudo-aneurysm) is a breach in the vascular wall leading to an extravascular hematoma that freely communicates with the intravascular space ("pulsating hematoma").
E.g. ventricular ruptures after MI that are contained by a pericardial adhesion
E.g. a leak at the junction of a vascular graft with a natural artery.
Aneurysms are classified by macroscopic shape and size
Saccular aneurysms
spherical outpouchings (involving only a portion of the vessel wall, and often contain thrombi.
Fusiform aneurysms
diffuse, circumferential dilation of a long vascular segment;
they vary in diameter and length and can involve extensive portions of the aortic arch, abdominal aorta, or even the iliacs.
Aortic Aneurysm
The two most important causes are:
1- atherosclerosis : the most common cause
It causes thinning and weakening of the media. The intimal plaques compress the underlying media and also compromise nutrient and waste diffusion from the vascular lumen into the arterial wall. The media consequently undergoes degeneration and necrosis, thus allowing the dilation of the vessel
2- cystic medial degeneration of the arterial media. E.g. Marfan syndrome.
3- Other causes include: trauma, congenital defects (e.g., berry aneurysms), infections (mycotic aneurysms), systemic diseases, such as vasculitis.
Mycotic Aneurysm :
Infection of a major artery that weakens its wall is called a mycotic aneurysm
possible complications: thrombosis and rupture.
It can originate from:
(1) embolization of a septic thrombus, usually as a complication of infective endocarditis
(2) extension of an adjacent suppurative process;
(3) circulating organisms directly infecting the arterial wall
Mycotic AAAs are atherosclerotic lesions infected by lodging of circulating microorganisms in the wall
- e.g. bacteremia from a primary Salmonella gastroenteritis.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Atherosclerotic aneurysms occur most frequently in the abdominal aorta ,the common iliac arteries, the arch, and descending parts of the thoracic aorta can also be involved
Pathogenesis
AAA occurs more frequently in men and rarely develops before age 50.
Atherosclerosis is a major cause of AAA
hereditary defects in structural components of the aorta (e.g., defective fibrillin production in Marfan disease affects elastic tissue synthesis)
Morphology :
Usually positioned below the renal arteries and above the bifurcation of the aorta
AAA can be saccular or fusiform
as large as 15 cm in diameter, and as long as 25 cm.
Microscopically: atherosclerosis with destruction and thinning of the underlying aortic media
the aneurysm frequently contains a laminated mural thrombus
Syphilitic Aneurysm
Caused by The spirochetes T. pallidum
Tertiary stage of syphilis can cause obliterative endarteritis of the involve small vessels in any part of the body, including the vasa vasorum of the aorta
This results in ischemic medial injury, leading to aneurysmal dilation of the aorta and aortic annulus, and eventually valvular insufficiency.
valvular insufficiency and massive volume overload lead to hypertrophy of the left ventricle. The greatly enlarged hearts are sometimes called "cor bovinum" (cow's heart).
CLINICAL CONSEQUENCES
1. Rupture → massive potentially fatal hemorrhage
2. Obstruction of downstream vessel → tissue ischemic injury
3. Embolism → from atheroma or mural thrombus
4. Impingement and compression on an adjacent structure
5. Presentation as an abdominal mass
ADRENOCORTICAL TUMORS
Functional adenomas are commonly associated with hyperaldosteronism and with Cushing syndrome, whereas a virilizing neoplasm is more likely to be a carcinoma. Determination of of the functional status of a tumor is based on clinical evaluation and measurement of the hormone or its metabolites. In other words, functional and nonfunctional adrenocortical neoplasms cannot be distinguished on the basis of morphologic features.
Patholgical features
Adrenocortical adenomas
- They are generally small, 1 to 2 cm in diameter.
- On cut surface, adenomas are usually yellow to yellow-brown due to presence of lipid within the neoplastic cells
- Microscopically, adenomas are composed of cells similar to those populating the normal adrenal cortex. The nuclei tend to be small, although some degree of pleomorphism may be encountered even in benign lesions ("endocrine atypia"). The cytoplasm ranges from eosinophilic to vacuolated, depending on their lipid content.
Adrenocortical carcinomas
These are rare and may occur at any age, including in childhood.
- Carcinomas are generally large, invasive lesions.
- The cut surface is typically variegated and poorly demarcated with areas of necrosis, hemorrhage, and cystic change.
- Microscopically, they are composed of well-differentiated cells resembling those of cortical adenomas or bizarre, pleomorphic cells, which may be difficult to distinguish from those of an undifferentiated carcinoma metastatic to the adrenal.