NEET MDS Lessons
General Pathology
Acanthosis nigricans is a pigmented skin lesion commonly present in the axilla which is a phenotypic marker for an insulin-receptor abnormality as well as a marker for adenocarcinoma, most commonly of gastric origin.
Herpes zoster, or shingles
- represents reactivation of a latent varicella-zoster infection.
- virus lies dormant in sensory dorsal root ganglia and when activated involves the distribution (dermatome) of the sensory nerve with a painful vesicular eruption.
- trigeminal verve distribution → Ramsay Hunt syndrome
- may indicate the presence of advanced neoplastic disease or be a complication of chemotherapy.
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
Acute leukaemia
Lympheblastic is commoner in children and myeloblastic in adults .
Features:
- Anaemia.
- Fever and infections especially oral and respiratory.
- Haemorrhagic tendencies.
- Bone pains and tenderness (sternal).
- Lymphnode enlargement especially in lymphocytic.
- Gum hypertrophy especially in monocytic.
Blood picture:
- Anaemia and thrombocytopenia.
- Leucocyte count usually 20,-50,000/cu.mm. It may be less in subleukaemic leukaemia (even leucopenic levels may be seen).
- Blast cells form 30-90% of cells. Smudge cells and basket cells are seen .The type of balst cell may be recognised by the associated more mature forms or by special cytochemical stains
- Blasts may be few in peripheral blood in the aleukamic stage
Bone Marrow
- May be a dry tap , necessitating a trephine biopsy
- Hypercellular with 70-90% blasts
- Reduction in megakaryocytes and erythroid cells
Hepatitis C virus.
It is most often mild and anicteric but occasionally severe with fulminant hepatic failure. It is caused an RNA virus, which may be transmitted parenterally (a cause of post-transfusion hepatitis); the route of transmission undetermined in 40%-50% of cases
a. 90% of blood transfusion-related hepatitis is caused by hepatitis C.
b. 50% progress to chronic disease.
c. Increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma.
d. Incubation period: ranges from 2 to 26 weeks, but averages 8 weeks.
- Antibody is detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent,assay (ELISA). The incubation period is between 2 and weeks with peak onset of illness 6-8 weeks after infection
- Most patients progress to chronic liver disease, specifically chronic persistent hepatitis or chronic active hepatitis
- Cirrhosis is common in patients with chronic active hepatitis and occurs in 20%-25% of infected patients. HCV is also associated with hepatocellular carcinoma.
e. Treatment and prevention: α-interferon is used to treat chronic hepatitis C. There is currently no vaccine available.
Polycystic kidney disease
Characterized by the formation of cysts and partial replacement of renal parenchyma.
Genetic transmission: autosomal dominant.
Clinical manifestations:
hypertension, hematuria, palpable renal masses, and progression to renal failure. Commonly associated with berry
aneurysms.
Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
A constellation of pathologic and clinical findings initiated by diffuse injury to alveolar capillaries. This syndrome is associated with a multitude of clinical conditions which primarily damage the lung or secondarily as part of a systemic disorder.
Pathogenesis
There are many types of injuries which lead to the ultimate, common pathway, i.e., damage to the alveolar capillary unit. The initial injury most frequently affects the endothelium, less frequently the alveolar epithelium. Injury produces increased vascular permeability, edema, fibrin-exudation (hyaline membranes). Leukocytes (primarily neutrophils) plays a key role in endothelial damage.
Pathology
Heavy, red lungs showing congestion and edema. The alveoli contain fluid and are lined by hyaline membranes.
Pathophysiology
Severe respiratory insufficiency with dyspnea, cyanosis and hypoxemia refractory to oxygen therapy.