Idiopathic Lipoid Pneumonia: An incidental finding in autopsy specimen

Phosphorus is a nonmetallic irritant used in various sectors like rodenticide, firecracker industries, match industries, and fertilizers. Phosphorus poisoning is responsible for deaths among children and adults. Accidental yellow phosphorus poisoning is frequently reported in children, whereas suicidal consumption is not uncommon amongst adults. Herein, we present the case of a 30-year-old female patient who ingested Ratol paste containing yellow phosphorus in an attempt to commit suicide. Her initial chief complaints were nausea, vomiting along with loose motion during hospitalization, followed by a symptomless phase with stable vitals on the 2nd day, and managed conservatively. She took discharge against the medical advice. Later on, she was readmitted in the same hospital, after two days, complaining of generalized weakness, bodily pain, drowsiness, loss of appetite, and breathing difficulties. She developed severe complications due to the intoxication and died. An autopsy was performed. The histopathological and the toxicological examination were carried out. We found characteristic features in different organs due to yellow phosphorus toxicity. We concluded the cause of death as hepatic encephalopathy and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome caused by the yellow phosphorus poisoning.

Transferrin receptor expression in reactive and neoplastic lesions of lymphnodes.

Transferrin, the major iron binding protein in human plasma transports iron to various tissues. The first step in cellular iron uptake is binding of transferrin complex to the cell surface membrane by specific molecule known as transferrin receptors. Transferrin receptors are found in limited sites in normal tissues, in contrast, the receptors are widely distributed in majority of carcinomas and sarcomas. Presence of increased transferrin receptors implies a stage of moderate or less differentiation corresponding to elevated proliferative activity and therefore, has a prognostic value. Demonstration of transferrin receptors and its distribution pattern within a tumour as well as its quantitative determination can provide data helpful for, both, an additional understanding of tumour biology and as an approach for planning therapy. In present study, we analysed 60 cases, 30 each of reactive lymphadenitis and lymphomas for transferrin receptors using immunohistochemical technique (DAKO, Code-K0673). Grade II and Grade III intensity was recorded in the germinal centers and the histiocytes in sinus histocytosis indicating the proliferating cells and activated histocytes. Most of the low grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas (83.66%) showed weak (Grade I) positivity for transferrin receptors. Intermediate grade lymphomas showed moderate (Grade II) to high intensity (Grade III) for transferrin receptors (57.14% and 42.85%) respectively. Seventy five percent of high grade lymphomas showed strong (Grade III) positivity. All the 9 cases of Hodgkin lymphoma (100%) showed grade III positivity. Proportion of the cells within a tumour expressing transferrin receptors in high density are therefore likely to represent the growth fraction of the tumour.

Immunohistochemical study of the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and prostatic carcinoma.

The present study provides an analysis of immunohistochemical expression and localization of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in formalin fixed paraffin embedded specimens of prostate. Thirty-five cases each of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostatic carcinoma and 30 cases of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) were taken up for study. Streptavidin biotin peroxidase method was employed for immunohistochemical staining. EGFR positivity was observed in all the cases (100%) of BPH and PIN and in only 10 cases (28.5%) of prostatic carcinoma. In both BPH and PIN the basal cells revealed significantly higher intensity and percentage cell positivity than the luminal cells. Intensity and percentage of positively stained basal cells in BPH was higher than PIN basal cells but the difference was not statistically significant. The intensity and percentage cell positivity of BPH basal cells and PIN basal and luminal cells were significantly greater than the epithelial cells of prostatic carcinoma. Presently, the significance of variable expression of EGFR in various types of prostatic lesions is unknown.

Pulmonary chondroid hamartoma with unusual presentation.

Large-sized pulmonary chondroid hamartomas are very uncommon. We report a case of a 40-year-old male patient with a large sized chondroid hamartoma occupying almost the whole of one hemithorax, presenting with superior vena caval obstruction, left vocal cord palsy and adrenal involvement.