Homicide: a report of 4,122 cases from Bangkok and provinces.

A retrospective review of 4,122 homicides was carried out between 1991 and 1995. About 47 per cent of cases occurred in the Bangkok Metropolitan area (BKK) and 53 per cent in the nearby provinces. A steady increase in the murder rate was noted in the latter. BKK was the place where most killings occurred, but was probably related to the high number of extrajudicial executions. Of the victims, 86 per cent were men and 14 per cent were women. The incidence peaked in the 3rd decade of life but there was also a rising trend among teenagers. Three major causes of death were firearms, sharp-force, and blunt-force in combination accounting for 92 per cent of the deaths. Firearms alone were used in about half of all murder cases. An analysis of organ injuries in relation to the types of weapons used was also presented. The data indicate the necessity to limit access to firearms.

Moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (atypical carcinoid) of the larynx.

A moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma or atypical carcinoid of the larynx occurred in a 68-year-old woman who developed rapidly progressive dysphagia, hoarseness and a neck mass. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies verified the nature of this tumor. Local invasion and distant metastases are common. It is suggested that cigarette smoking could increase the risk of developing this neoplasm.

Castleman's disease: a clinicopathologic study of 12 cases.

Castleman's disease observed in 12 Thai patients was investigated. The male to female ratio was 1:3. Peak prevalence was in the third and fourth decades. It is suggested that the disease in Orientals tends to have extrathoracic mass more often than in Caucasians. Solitary non-tender slow growing mass was the most common symptom. Generalized lymphadenopathy in association with cutaneous plasmocytoma was noted in one example while asymptmatic pelvic lesion in a patient was discovered incidentally. Histologically, the hyaline-vascular type was found in 8 instances, the remainders were plasma-cell type. Surgery was effective for localized lesions while systemic form could benefit from chemotherapy.

Bullet embolus to the right pulmonary artery after abdominal gunshot wound with "piggyback bullet".

This report describes a 17-year-old man with piggyback bullets to the abdomen followed by bullet embolization to the right pulmonary artery. The first bullet was removed from the abdomen while the second missile in the lung was left intact. We believe this is the first case in Thailand of a bullet embolus resulting from piggyback bullets.

Primary ovarian carcinoid: a mixture of insular, trabecular and mucinous components.

A case of primary ovarian carcinoid in a 53-year-old woman is described. The tumor which replaced the left ovary showed a mixture of insular, trabecular and mucinous cell types in the same mass. The nature of the neoplastic cells has been verified by light and electron microscopic studies. The latter investigation demonstrated bundles of tonofilament and apical villi of the trabecular cells in addition to the morphologic difference of neurosecretory granules among these various cells.

Mucin-producing malignant meningioma with papillary and glandular patterns.

An exceedingly rare intracranial malignant meningioma with papillary and glandular patterns in a 45-year-old man is described. Intracellular mucin production was demonstrated. The nature of the neoplastic cells was verified by immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies.

Calcified cystic pituitary prolactinoma.

An unusual cystic pituitary prolactinoma in a 20-year-old man is described. The tumor was roentgenographically calcified. Ultrastructurally, the calcium deposits were found within the cytoplasm of tumor cells, extracellular spaces and blood vessels. The mechanism of intratumoral calcification is discussed in relation to degeneration of neoplastic cells and reparative process.