Rupture of dissecting aneurysm: autopsy study of 3 cases

Dissecting aneurysm (DA); more appropriately termed dissecting haematoma; is the separation of layers of the vascular wall by a column of blood from the lumen. Dissecting aneurysms of the aorta differ from atherosclerotic and syphilitic aneurysms in that they are not usually associated with marked dilatation of the aorta. DA of the aorta; irrespective of the etiology; if untreated; are associated with a rapidly fatal outcome in 75 per cent to 90 per cent of the patients. Death from DA most often results from rupture. Rupture sites frequently associated with a fatal outcome include the pericardial sac leading to acute haemopericardium; the mediastinum; the left pleural cavity and the retroperitoneum. Autopsy study on three cases of sudden death revealed haemopericardium as a result of rupture of DA of the ascending aorta. One case was seen in a young individual with Marfan's syndrome and two were present in elderly individuals with hypertension. The etiopathogenesis; presentation; outcome and management of this fatal complication is discussed

Trend of cervical cancer in Seychelles

A 10-year study of all cervical biopsies and hysterectomy specimens received in the Department of Pathology; Victoria Hospital was carried out. Representative punch biopsies of cervix; either colposcope guided; or taken from non-staining areas of cervix following application of Schiller's iodine paint; and fixed in 10 per cent formal saline in the theatre were received in the pathology department. During the ten year period (1983-1992); 175 cases of cervical cancer were detected. Of these; 66 cases were at the CIN 3 stage; 28 were CIN 3 with microinvasion; 69 cases showed frank infiltrating squamos cell carcinoma; 11 exhibited adenocarcinoma and 1 had adenosquamous features

Non-cancerous breast lesions in Seychelles : an appraisal

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of both cancerous and non-cancerous lesions of the breast seen by doctors in Seychelles. The cancer registry held by the department of pathology reveals that 3 cases of breast cancer were reported in 1989; 4 in 1990; 6 in 1991 and 11 in 1992. Department of pathology records also reveal that 36 cases of non-cancerous breast lesions were reported in 1989; 30 in 1990; 48 in 1991 and 49 in 1992. These increases call for the development of a protocol for the management of all the palpable; nodular swellings of the breast; irrespective of marital status; age; parity and use of oral contraceptives