ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the spectrum and frequency of skin diseases on the basis of histopathology
Methods: 152 skin biopsy specimens were received during a period of one year. They were processed routinely and findings recorded. Relevant demographic data as well as clinical findings were also noted. After diagnosis, the cases were divided into seven groups, viz, eczema-dermatitis, papulosquamous disorders, infectious disorders, blistering disorders, neoplastic lesions, degenerative diseases and miscellaneous lesions. Results were analyzed using percentage frequencies, Fischer's exact test and student's t test as appropriate
Results: The age range of patients was 5-81 years with mean being 37.59 +/- 17 years. Majority of biopsies were from male patients [55.3%]. Papulosquamous disorders were the most common group with a frequency of 46.7%. Second most frequent skin disease groups were eczema -dermatitis and blistering disorders, each accounting for 12.5 % of all biopsies. Neoplastic lesions constituted 10.5% of the lesions, with benign and malignant lesions presenting at the average ages of 47 and 43 years respectively
Conclusion: The average age at presentation was close to that reported by other researchers from this region. The greater number of male patients is at variance from most other reported studies. The difference was statistically highly significant [p=0.0031]. The frequency of different diagnostic groups was unique in some respects and conformed to other studies in others. The most striking was the statistically significant difference in age of presentation of patients with malignant neoplasms. This highlights the need to raise awareness in public about the possible precautionary measures that need to be taken, in this region with high levels of exposure to sunlight
ABSTRACT
Shabbir syndrome is a rare, progressive, multisystem disorder with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. It mainly afflicts children from Punjabi Muslim families of Pakistan and India. The genetic anomaly has been mapped as a mutation in LAMA3 gene on chromosome 18q 11.2
A 17-year-old male presented to us with history of recurrent skin ulcers, nail dystrophy andlaryngeal obstruction. Fresh ulcers, older crusted ulcers and cicatrisation in his head and neck area were strikingly obvious. Skin biopsy was submitted and revealed characteristic exuberant granulation tissue with a mixed acute and chronic cell infiltrate. Other features are also described. LAMA3 gene is responsible for the production of laminin a3 which is one of the three components of laminin, a heterotrimeric. Laminin is an important part of the cell membrane and extends into the dermis. Its presence is a signal to the dermis that the basement membrane is intact and the production of granulation tissue is kept in check. Abnormal laminin fails to do it resulting in excessive, undesirable granulation tissue production. Understanding this feedback mechanism may enable us to control the production of granulation tissue in Shabbir syndrome as well as other diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and chronic venous ulcers
ABSTRACT
Background: Xanthogranulomatous inflammation is a rare but well recognized variety of chronic inflammation seen in multiple sites. It may present as a mass lesion and mimic malignant tumors, in other cases it may be discovered as an incidental finding in tissues removed for different reasons. Xanthogranulomatous inflammation was encountered in five different cases which included two gall bladders, one kidney, one endoscopic biopsy from gastric mucosa and one collaural fistula. The demographic data as well as pathological findings are described. After although the exact etiopathogenesis of xanthogranulomatous inflammation is still debated, it is agreed that it has no pre-malignant potential. Therefore, resection is considered adequate therapy for effected patients. This makes it all the more important to recognize it in its various morphological forms, even in endoscopic biopsies, to avoid unnecessary extirpative procedures
ABSTRACT
Objective: to evaluate and compare the efficacy of four devices for digital photographing of gross specimens in Surgical Pathology lab. To assess the usefulness of magnifying apps, currently available for mobile phones, in studying details of pathological specimens during their gross examination
Material and Methods: this comparative study was carried out from Nov. 2012 to Dec. 2012 Fifty specimens were photographed; some of these were received in Department of Pathology, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore, while others were from some private laboratories. Non probability purposive sampling was used to include cases which were likely to reveal interesting and comparable details. Four different devices namely Nikon Coolpix S-80, Apple iPhone 4, Samsung Galaxy S Duos and Samsung Galaxy Note II loaded with "Magnify" app were used
Results: were compared subjectively regarding image resolution, sharpness, color accuracy, tone reproduction, contrast, signal to noise ratio and overall usefulness. Nikon Coolpix S-80 served as the reference index against which the other devices were assessed
Results: all devices gave photographs of quality good enough to be used for scientific purposes. IPhone occasionally surpassed Nikon in spite of its far more humble megapixel "score". Samsung Galaxy Note II with "Magnify" app revealed details that could render the conventional dissecting microscopes obsolete. These findings are supported by other reports comparing different devices, though none of these refers to photographing of pathological specimens
Conclusion: in view of the widespread availability of digital cameras since their incorporation into cell phones, it has become very feasible to photograph every specimen received in the Surgical Pathology lab. Digital photography has removed, to a substantial extent, the constraints of time, cost, labor and expertise involved in photographing. In conclusion, the causes for conversion to this commandeering, contemporary technique are compelling, convincing and countless
ABSTRACT
Objective: to describe and assess a manual method of Paraffin Tissue Micro Array [PTMA] construction using simple equipment available in the most elementary pathology set ups
Material and Methods: paraffin blocks with preformed holes in a 3x3 grid pattern were created and filled with tissue cores obtained by bone marrow aspiration needles. A variety of tissue blocks was selected from the archives of Pathology Lab, PGMI Lahore, yielding a total of 108 cores
Results: encouraging results were obtained. Only two tissue cores were lost. All the others showed up well. There was no tissue folding, splitting or rolling up. Tissue cores were easily recognizable as to source owing to larger diameter
Conclusion: the technique is easy to reproduce, economical, quick and creates uniform blocks capable of yielding multiple sections. Though the number of cores per block is small, the larger core diameter offers advantages of easier tissue handling and more accurate diagnosis. It could form a modest foundation with a potential for improvement in future
ABSTRACT
Objective: to see the effect of different solutions and storage temperature on morphological preservation of rabbit kidney and liver tissues
Material and Methods: in this experimental study, rabbit kidney and liver slices were stored in Ringer Lactate, Euro Collins and University of Wisconsin solutions [UW solution], for various fixed time intervals. The three solutions were tried at room temperature as well as at 0-4degreeC. Morphological preservation was assessed by a semi quantitative method
Results: adequate morphological preservation of both tissues was obtained in all solutions at room temperature for the first 24 hours. Lowering of storage temperature to 0-4degreeC was highly beneficial to both tissues in all solutions. UW solution is more effective for liver tissue preservation
Conclusion: anyone of the solutions may be used at room temperature, for preservation of tissue to be submitted for immuno-histochemistry for the first 24 hours. If prolonged storage is required, lowering of temperature is recommended