Infective endocarditis at the University Hospital of the West Indies. A revisit

Many countries have reported a change in the profile of infective endocarditis (IE) over the past three decades. The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of IE from the autopsy service of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) during the last 15 years and to compare the results with that of an earlier study. There were 26 cases of IE during the period under review with a M:F ratio of 1.2:1. The ages ranged from 15 days to 74 years with a mean of 36.4 +/- 24.57 years. The largest number of cases (n = 7) occurred in the 10 to 19-year-age group. Cardiac predisposing factors were identified in 14 patients; nine with rheumatic heart disease, four with prosthetic valves and one with a bicuspid aortic valve. All vegetations were located on valves, the aortic being the most frequently involved followed by the mitral. Streptococcus species were the most common causative organisms followed by Staphylococcus aureus. Compared with the profile seen 15 years ago, there have been only minor changes in the characteristics of IE cases observed in the autopsy service at the UHWI

Heart weight and heart weight/body weight ratio in a Jamaican adult autopsy population. A preliminary study

The heart weight and heart weight/body weight (HW/BW) ratio were assessed in an adult autopsy population and compared with commonly used reference values. Examination of 127 adult post-mortem cases (80 males and 47 females, aged 17 to 91 years) revealed that the mean heart weight and the HW/BW ratios of both genders were significantly greater than the reference values, particularly so in the hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that the Jamaican adult heart is significantly heavier than values used from reference tables. In both genders, heart weight was significantly and positively correlated with body weight and body mass index but not height, for non-hypertensive and hypertensive subjects. The present data are preliminary and not comprehensive enough to establish definitive reference values for the Jamaican population. However, this information needs to be taken into consideration when making pathologic diagnoses using heart weight as a criterion in post-mortem diagnosis

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B. A case report and review of the syndrome

This paper presents a case of the very rare multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 2B syndrome. It highlights that because of the presence of superficial neuromas in this condition, there is the possibility for early diagnosis. Recent knowledge of the molecular genetics of this syndrome and the ability to screen family members is also stressed since early thyroidectomy is now recommended to prevent the development of thyroid carcinoma which is the main determinant of prognosis

Prostate cancer at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica. A clinico-pathological profile at the time of needle biopsy diagnosis

A prospective study of the clinico-pathological features of prostate cancer at the time of needle biopsy diagnosis was conducted in the Department of Pathology at the University Hospital of the West Indies over a one-year period. Ninety cases were diagnosed during this time. The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 72 years and the mean Gleason score of the biopsy, 7.3. Serum prostate-specific antigen levels were markedly elevated in the majority of patients, with a mean value of at least 159.8 ng/ml in the 76 patients for whom this information was available. The significance of these findings and that of other histopathological features examined are discussed, particularly in relation to recognized prognostic factors. It is concluded that the diagnosis of prostate cancer in Jamaica appears to be considerably later than that seen elsewhere. This information should provide support for those who advocate the introduction of a vigorous screening process for prostate cancer in Jamaica.

Nodular fasciitis

A 10-year review of the files of the Department of Pathology revealed 11 cases of nodular fasciitis. The clinicopathologic features of these cases are presented together with a discussion of the pathology of this lesion. The purpose of this study is to enhance both physicians' and pathologists' awareness of this entity.

Medical students' evaluation of their pathology clerkship experience

As part of a recent trend among faculties in educational institutions to review and upgrade their courses and teaching methods, the Department of Pathology introduced a questionnaire for assessment of the pathology clerkship experience by the medical students. This was to be completed at the end of their rotation. An evaluation of the results of an entire class indicates that, for the most part, the responses were positive with 82 considering the experience to be of great benefit and 17 of reasonable benefit. The responses were generally more favorable to Anatomical Pathology and Haematology than to Chemical Pathology. The study identified areas where modifications in teaching could be considered, and ways to improve the questionnaire, making it more useful for future assessments.

Right ventricular cardiomyopathy. A rare and underdiagnosed cause of sudden death in young adults

We present an example of right ventricular cardiomyopathy, a very uncommon condition which caused sudden death in an adolescent boy. This case report is used to highlight the pathological features of this rare and poorly understood condition, which is often undiagnosed.

Turnaround time in the surgical pathology laboratory

One measure of the efficiency of a surgical pathology service is the rapidity of reporting the diagnosis to clinicians. The turnaround time (TAT) has been used for this purpose. This study showed that the TAT for 66of specimens submitted to the surgical pathology laboratory in the University Hospital of the West Indies was within 3 days and for 89within 6 days. The TAT within 7 days was considered acceptable, but it was shown that it was more than 7 days for 9, of the specimens submitted. The importance of this information is discussed and recommendations made for identifying more accurately the source of delays in those cases in which the TAT was considered to be unusually prolonged.

Tumours and tumour-like lesions of bone. The UHWI experience. University Hospital of the West Indies

A review of all primary tumours and tumour-like lesions of bone diagnosed in patients who attended the University Hospital of the West Indies over a 10-year period revealed 136 cases comprising 69 benign and 54 malignant tumours, and 13 cases of tumour-like lesions. The prevalence and clinical characteristics of the various lesions are discussed and compared with the findings in other series. The results of this analysis provide demographic data useful in the differential diagnosis of bone lesions locally.

Torsion of an intra-abdominal testicle in a neonate. Case report and review of the literature

The thirty-ninth reported case of torsion of an intra-abdominal testicle is described in a neonate. The gonad was excised as is recommended because of the high incidence of malignancy (60of 37 cases). Torsion of an intra-abdominal testicle should be considered where an abdominal mass with calcification is found in an infant with undescended testis. Ultrasonography improves the diagnostic accuracy in infants because of the cystic nature of these masses in this age group.

Aortic dissection: an autopsy experience

Aortic dissection was confirmed in 33 patients at autopsy at the University Hospital of the West Indies between 1975 and 1988. Twenty-five cases were acute and 8 chronic and the diagnosis was made ante-mortem in 5 cases overall. The high risk of rupture of proximal dissections involving the ascending aorta into the pericardial sac is clear, and the overriding importance of systemic hypertension is once again confirmed. An unusual finding was the higher proportion of females to males. A higher index of suspicion should permit an antemortem diagnosis and appropriate therapy in a larger proportion of patients

Meckel-Gruber syndrome: a lethal combination of abnormalities

We herein describe two cases of Meckel-Gruber Syndrome identified in stilborn infants. Both had all three elements of the classical triad, namely, occipital encephalocele, renal cystic dysplasia and post-axial polydactyly. In addition, many of the other well-known accompanying abnormalities were present. Awareness of this entity in this region is important because of its high risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies

Infective endocarditis at the University Hospital of the West Indies: a postmortem evaluation

Thirty cases of infective endocarditis identified in the autopsy of the University Hospital over a 10-year period are reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 30.6 years, and 70%) were below the age of 40 years. Sixty per cent of the cases had previous heart disease of which rheumatic heart disease was the most common. Degenerative heart disease and floppy mitral valve contributed one case each. The mitral valve was most commonly affected, and there were only 2 cases of right-sided endocarditis. Evidence of systemic embolization was present in 83% of the patients. The results of this stuy are compared with others from both developed and under-developed countries

Endodermal sinus (Yolk Sac) tumour of the mediastinum

An endodermal sinus tumour of the anterior mediatinum is described in a19-year-old man. This very rare condition is reported for the first time in the Caribbean literature

Amnion rupture sequence in Jamaica: a report on 2 cases

Two cases of amnion rupture sequence resulting in grossly malformed stillborn infants are described. One baby had marked craniofacial defects while the other had a combination of craniofacial, abdominal wall and limb abnormalities. These are the first such cases to be reported in the English-speaking Caribbean; and aspects of the aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical and pathological features are discussed