Bone marrow infiltration in "small blue cell tumours"

Small round blue cell tumors present predominantly during childhood and adolescence. They include Ewing's sarcoma, peripheral neuroectodermal tumors, retinoblastoma, nephroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, mesenchymal chondrosarcoma and small cell osteosarcoma. Bone marrow biopsy is indicated for staging the disease, and if marrow infiltration is detected, it is a poor prognostic indicator To evaluate the frequency and pattern of bone marrow infiltration by small round blue cell tumors. A retrospective descriptive study was carried out at Department of Pathology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences from January 2007 to December 2010. Histologically diagnosed and immunophenotypically verified cases of small round blue cell tumors [excluding lymphomas], referred for bone marrow examination were included in the study. Bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy was performed. Age and sex distribution, clinical findings, peripheral blood findings and frequency of bone marrow infiltration in different types of round blue cell tumors was noted and the data were analyzed on SPSS version 14. Amongst 82 cases included in the study, 42 were males and 38 females. Age ranged from 6 months to 22 years with mean age of 4.3 +/- 3.98 SD years. In the cases studied, 16 [19.5%] showed bone marrow infiltration. Bone marrow infiltration was observed in 19.5% of cases of round blue cell tumours

Cutaneous tuberculosis: At three year prospective study

To study the pattern of clinical presentation of cutaneous tuberculosis. All patients with clinical suspicion of cutaneous tuberculosis, visiting outpatient department of Dermatology Unit, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi were included in this study.Total number of the patients enrolled were 74.The lesions were then classified into four clinical types viz: lupus vulgaris, scrofuloderma, tuberculids and tuberculosis verricosa cutis. A total of 0.1% patients visiting out patient department had cutaneous tuberculosis. Scrofuloderma was the commonest form seen in 48 [64.9%] patients, followed by lupus vulgaris in 16 [21.5%], tuberculosis verrucosa cutis in 6 [8.1%] and tuberculids 4[5.6%].The presence of regional lymphadenopathy had correlation with the disseminated disease. There is an increasing trend of cutaneous Tuberculosis over the years. Scrofuloderma was the most common clinical presentation, followed by lupus vulgaris, tuberculosis verrucsa cutis and tuberculids. Tuberculous gumma was not seen in any patient

Spectrum of common childhood skin disease: a single centre experience

To assess the pattern of childhood skin diseases and to analyze the attitude towards consultation and self-treatment. Children with complaints of skin diseases visiting outpatient department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and National Institute of Child Health were enrolled in this study during the period of May 2002 to July 2003. A detail performa was filled in, for all the patients. 250 cases were finally analyzed in 15 months duration. The diseases were sub-classified on etiological basis e.g. infectious [bacterial, fungal, viral, parasitic] immune mediated, congenital, allergic and miscellaneous. The children's sex, race, age, duration, history of previous treatment and family and past history for skin or systemic diseases were noted. Of all the patients visiting the outpatient department [OPD], 31% were children with skin diseases. Infectious skin diseases were the commonest [60%]. Among the infections, fungal were maximum [20.6%], followed by bacterial diseases [12%]. Eczemas constituted 21% of skin diseases and 6.4% children had congenital skin conditions. Previous treatment history was present in 43.6% patients. Antibiotics [topical and/or systemic] were taken by 28.4% of patients; whereas history of steroids [topical and/or systemic] was present in 15.2% of patients. Most children [550] had a normal weight and 13.6% were severely malnourished. Skin diseases are fairly common in children especially infectious skin diseases. Eczematous and allergic skin diseases are also frequently encountered in children. Self medication is a common practice. Topical steroids were the most commonly used medications