Atypical histological features of ulcerative colitis.

Introduction: The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is based on combination of clinical, endoscopic and pathological findings. However cases have been reported showing atypical endoscopic and histological features in ulcerative colitis. Hence the objective of this study was to determine the atypical features of new onset ulcerative colitis in adult population. Methods: A total 110 newly diagnosed cases of ulcerative colitis were enrolled in the study over a period of five years. The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis was made by correlating clinical, endoscopic and histological features. Biopsies from representative areas were processed routinely. Endoscopic and histological evaluation was carried out for atypical features. Results: Majority of the patients (75.4%) were between 21-50 years of age with male to female ratio of 2.2:1. A significant number of patients showed atypical endoscopic findings in the form of rectal sparing in 12 (10.9%) and skip lesions in 24 (21.8%) patients. Atypical features noted on histology included normal surface epithelium in 8 (7.3%), predominant polymorphs in 42 (38%), predominant eosinophils in 7 (6.3%), normal crypt architecture in 1 (0.9%) and well preserved goblet cells in 30 (28%) cases. Conclusion: A significant number of patients with new onset ulcerative colitis showed atypical pattern of disease endoscopically as well as histologically. Pathologists should be aware of these atypical findings in cases of ulcerative colitis so as to avoid misdiagnosis.

Morphological spectrum of gastrointestinal tuberculosis.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal tuberculosis (GITB) is a great mimicker and it is often difficult to distinguish GITB from other inflammatory lesions of the intestine. Aim: This study was carried out with the objective of analysing the entire morphological spectrum of GITB. Methods: A total of 110 diagnosed cases of GITB were included in the study. The diagnosis was based on the presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) on histology, caseating or non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas (ECGs), evidence of tuberculosis at other extraintestinal sites, and all of these along with a complete response to anti-tuberculous treatment (ATT). Results: The mean age was 30.9 years with M:F ratio of 1:1. On gross examination, apart from typical tuberculous lesions in the form of transverse ulcers, strictures, hyperplastic lesions and serosal tubercles, intestinal perforation (32.6%) was seen with higher frequency and ischemic bowel was also identified (7.3%). Varied morphological patterns of ECGs in the form of caseating, non-caseating, confluent, discrete and even suppurative granulomas were identified on histopathology. An important finding was the co-existence of different types of granulomas within the same case. In a significant number of cases (44.5%) granulomas were seen in a submucosal location. The predominant type of inflammation seen in the lamina propria was lymphoplasmacytic in 85.5% cases. Conclusion: Pathologists should be aware of the entire spectrum of gross and histopathological features of GITB, so as to avoid misdiagnosis.

Angiogenesis in liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis has been well documented in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As liver cirrhosis is considered preneoplastic condition, the aim of this study was to evaluate the process of angiogenesis using CD 34 as an endothelial cell marker in normal liver, cirrhosis and HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 111 cases were included in this study, which consisted of 30 cases each of normal liver and cirrhosis that were all autopsy cases. Twenty-one cases of HCC included 10 autopsy specimens, nine surgically resected specimens and two liver biopsies. Remaining were 30 cases of metastasis to the liver, which included 20 autopsy specimens, one surgically resected specimen and nine liver biopsies. The patients were between the age range from 17 to 80 years with 70 males and 11 females. Paraffin-embedded liver sections of all these cases were stained routinely by hematoxylin-eosin stain, while immunohistochemistry for CD 34 was performed for expression of endothelial cells. The positivity of CD 34 staining was evaluated by counting in 10 high-power field, grading was done from 0 to 4 and compared between normal liver, cirrhosis and HCC and metastasis. RESULTS: CD 34 was positive in 16/30 (53.3%) cases of cirrhosis, 18/21 (85%) cases of HCC and 26 (86.6%) of metastasis to the liver. None of the normal liver showed any positivity. Grade 3 to 4 positivity was seen in 4/16 (25%) and 13/18 (72%) cases of cirrhosis and HCC, respectively. Amongst these, 10 were moderately differentiated, one well differentiated and rest two were fibrolamellar and sarcomatoid variants of HCC. CONCLUSION: Over expression of endothelial cell marker CD 34 with gradual progression was found from normal liver to cirrhosis to HCC and metastasis. Understanding of this process of angiogenesis might help in the design of efficient and safe antiangiogenic therapy for these liver disorders.

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis in western India.

Tuberculous involvement of liver as a part of disseminated tuberculosis is seen in up to 50-80% cases, but localized hepatobiliary tuberculosis (HBTB) is uncommonly described. During 6 years, a total of 280 consecutive patients with TB were evaluated prospectively for the presence and etiology of liver involvement. Cases with miliary TB or immunosuppression and cases receiving anti-tuberculosis drugs prior to presentation to our unit were excluded (38 cases). Details of clinical, biochemical and imaging findings and histology/microbiology were noted. Of 242 included cases, 38 patients (15.7%; age 38.1 +/- 12.5 years; sex ratio 2.5:1) had HBTB, whereas 20 patients (9%; age 39.3 +/- 16.3 years; sex ratio 2.1:1) had other liver diseases. Diagnosis of HBTB was based on caseating granuloma on histology (18/23 procedures), positive smear/culture for acid-fast bacilli (21/39 procedures) and positive polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (28/29 procedures) when diagnostic procedures were guided by imaging results. Thirty-eight cases with HBTB were classified as follows [patients (n), (%)]: (A) hepatic TB [20 (52.6%)]: (1) granulomatous hepatitis - 10 (26.3%), (2) liver abscesses or pseudotumors - 10 (26.3%) and (3) calcified hepatic granuloma - 0 (0%); (B) biliary TB [15 (39.4%)]: (1) biliary strictures - 2 (5.2%), (2) gall bladder involvement - 1 (2.6%) and (3) biliary obstruction due to lymph node masses - 12 (31.5%); (C) mixed variety [3 (7.8%)]: (1) simultaneous granulomatous hepatitis and biliary stricture - 1 (2.6%) and (2) simultaneous lymph node involvement and calcified hepatic granuloma - 2 (5.2%). All the cases responded well to standard anti-tuberculosis therapy. HBTB forms an important subgroup in TB cases. It requires a combination of imaging, histological and microbiological procedures to define the diagnosis. HBTB responds well to treatment.

Atypical stromal cells in inflammatory pseudopolyps--a case report.

Atypical stromal cells have been reported in inflammatory lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. We report a case of ulcerative colitis with pseudopolyps, histology of which showed bizarre stromal cells. These atypical stromal cells simulate malignant cells and pose a diagnostic problem for surgical pathologists. It is therefore important to recognize these benign stromal cells as reactive thereby reducing unnecessary surgery.

Spontaneous esophageal perforation in a patient with achalasia cardia and rheumatoid arthritis.

Perforation of stasis ulcers in achalasia cardia has not been reported in literature. We report a 45-year-old lady with achalasia and rheumatoid arthritis who developed perforation and esophago-mediastinal sinus at the site of stasis ulcers. She succumbed to respiratory infection after resection of the sinus tract, Heller's cardiomyotomy, cervical esophagostomy and feeding jejunostomy.

Cystic lymphangioma as mesenteric tumor--a case report.

Cystic lymphangioma is an uncommon mesenteric tumor usually reported in children. We report a case of 14 year old female who presented with dull aching abdominal pain. At laparotomy a cystic tumor was found in mesentery, which was attached to bowel loops. The histopathology examination showed features of cystic lymphangioma. Although pre-operative diagnosis is usually possible on CT or MRI, confirmatory diagnosis of this lesion requires laparotomy followed by histopathology.

HLA genotyping in type-I autoimmune hepatitis in Western India.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze association of different HLA genotypes for predisposition to type-I autoimmune hepatitis in Western India. METHODS: This study was undertaken on patients of type-I autoimmune hepatitis (defined by international criteria by IAHG, 1999). HLA genotyping for class I and II was done in 20 patients of autoimmune hepatitis and 100 healthy controls. Statistics were done using Halden's modification of Woolfs formula. RESULT: Significant association of autoimmune hepatitis was found amongst class I antigens--HLA B27 [20 vs. 0 %] & HLA cw4 [40 vs. 15 %] and amongst class II antigens--DRBI*01XX [25 vs. 2%], DRB1*14XX [30 vs. 12%], DRB1*15XX [40 vs. 25%] and DRB1*07XX [20 vs. 9 %] at DRB1 locus. Stronger association was found with HLA B27, cw4 & HLA DRB1 *01XX. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that predisposition to autoimmune hepatitis is different in Indian patients and not associated with HLA DRB1*03XX or *04XX, as seen in Western world.