Alteration in Levels of Minerals in DEN induced Hepatocellular carcinoma in Wistar Albino Rats.

The present attempt has been made to evaluate, and examine the levels of minerals in serum and liver in DEN induced hepatocellular carcinoma in wistar albino rats for possible chemopreventive effect. In hepatocellular carcinogenesis complications such as hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis may lead to several abnormalities in mineral metabolism, hence attempt is made to evaluate on the level of minerals. Hepatic cancer was induced by single dose of intraperitoneal injections of DEN (200mg/kg body weight) followed by phenobarbital of 0.05% mixed with drinking water for 20 weeks. Concentration of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium were assessed in the serum and liver at the end of experimental period. Negative correlations were observed between liver function tests and serum mineral levels, except with albumin. Calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium concentrations in the serum were decreased after the induction of hepatic cancer. The liver calcium content was increased after DEN treatment. No change occurred in liver sodium content. However, magnesium and potassium content was significantly reduced in the hepatic tissue. The results suggest that in DEN-induced hepato cellular carcinoma alteration of essential elements is noted. The low levels of albumin and the related ascites may be one of the major causes of the imbalance of mineral metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma. Abbreviations: N-Nitrosodiethylamine (DEN), Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Captain Srinivasa Murti Drug Research Institute for Ayurveda (CCRAS), Tamilnadu Veterinary and animal Science University (TANUVAS), Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC).

Mitochondrial myopathies--a clinicopathological study.

Mitochondrial myopathies are heterogeneous group of clinical disorders that can affect multiple systems besides skeletal muscles. The mitochondrial abnormalities in the skeletal muscles are morphologically identified by the presence of characteristic Ragged-red fibers (RRF) in the cryostat sections of the muscle stained with modified Gomori's trichrome stain. In this retrospective study, clinical and histopathological features in six patients with mitochondrial myopathies have been analysed. The utility of histochemical methods in confirming the diagnosis of mitochondrial myopathy has been emphasised.

Mycotic aneurysms of the intracranial vessels.

The salient clinical and pathological features are reported of Aspergillus cerebral aneurysms in four young women who had undergone intra-abdominal surgery under spinal anaesthesia and developed clinical features of meningitis 7-16 days postoperatively. The circle of Willis showed ruptured aneurysm in the basilar artery and its branches. The role of iatrogenic factors in the pathogenesis of Aspergillus cerebral aneurysms is highlighted.

Paraganglioma of the cauda equina region--a report of two cases with review of literature.

Among all extra-adrenal locations, paragangliomas are least commonly found within the spinal canal. so far over 60 cases of paragrangliomas in the Cauda equinal region have been reported. In this report we describe the salient clinical and histopathological features of paraganglioma of the cauda equinal region in two patients.

Necrotizing myelopathy--a report of two cases with review of literature.

Necrotizing myelopathy is an uncommon neurological disorder. Till 1991, only 31 cases have been described in the literature. In this report, clinical and neuropathological features in two patients with necrotizing myelopathy are described. The precise aetiological agent in first patient was undetermined, However in the second patient there was serological evidence, suggestive of Herpes simplex virus infection.

Intraventricular neurocytoma: a report of two cases.

Central neurocytomas are uncommon intracranial neoplasms. More than one hundred cases are documentated in the literature. In this report we describe the clinical and histopathological features in two patients with intraventricular neurocytoma. As the light microscopic features of neurocytoma resemble with that of an oligodendroglioma, it is essential to differentiate these two tumours, using either ultrastructural or immunohistochemical techniques.

Effect of myosin B on guinea pig muscles--light microscopic and immunological aspects.

Experimental myositis was induced in guinea pigs by multiple inoculations with Myosin B fraction of the rabbit skeletal muscle. Quantitative histopathological features were studied and they include necrosis, central nucleation, inflammatory cellular reaction. Besides myositis, features of myocarditis were evident in 40% animals. Circulating immune complexes (CICs) in the sera of experimental animals were isolated by a polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation method. Presence of antimyosin B antibody in the immune complexes was characterised by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The role of circulating immune complexes in pathogenesis of experimental myositis and human polymyositis have been emphasised.

Nodular inflammatory mass of the dura mimicking a meningioma--a report of two cases.

Histopathological examination of surgical specimens in two patients with an operative diagnosis of meningioma, revealed the presence of dense nodular aggregation of lymphocytes, plasma cells and conspicious absence of meningothelial components. Possibilities of lymphoreticular malignancy, myeloproliferative disorders and other causes for various inflammatory diseases were excluded by appropriate investigation in these two patients. Pathogenesis of this localised lymphocyte-plasma cell aggreation in the dura manifesting as a space-occupying lesion could not be defined in these two patients. It is emphasised that this benign lesion should be recognised as well as distinguished from secondary lymphomatous deposits and solitary plasmacytoma of the dura.

Disseminated intra-cerebral microabscesses: a clinico-pathologic study.

In this retrospective study, clinical and neuropathological features were analysed in eight patients with disseminated intracerebral microabscesses. All the patients presented with clinical features, suggestive of an encephalopathic process of an acute onset. Neuroradiological and laboratory investigations were not helpful in establishing the diagnosis in any patient during their hospital stay. All the eight patients died in the hospital and at autopsy disseminated intracerebral microabscesses were the most striking feature. In two patients hyphae of Candida albicans were demonstrated within the microabscesses. Gram negative bacilli in two patients and gram positive and gram positive cocci in one patient were demonstrated in the microabscesses. Disseminated intra-cerebral microabscesses are usually an unrecognised manifestation of central nervous system infections and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with encephalopathy of unknown aetiology.

Papillary meningioma--a clinicopathological study of six cases.

Papillary meningioma is a rare but a well recognised histological variant of meningioma. Only 52 cases are reported in literature till 1991. This report highlights the clinical and histopathological features of papillary meningioma in six patients. Significance of making an accurate histopathological diagnosis and its relevance in the management of patients with papillary meningioma is emphasised.

Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the base of skull: a case report.

Primary cranial Ewing's sarcoma is an exceptionally rare lesion and only eleven cases have so far been reported. In this report we describe a case of primary Ewing's sarcoma arising from the floor of middle cranial fossa. Salient clinical, neuroradiological and light microscopic features in this case are described. A brief review of earlier published cases of primary cranial Ewing's sarcoma are also presented.

Diagnostic utility of immunohistochemical techniques in intramedullary Schwann-cell tumours.

Histopathologic features in two intramedullary schwann-cell tumours, closely resembled with those of fibrillary astrocytoma and could not be differentiated from each other by the conventional histochemical stains. However application of tumour markers-Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S-100 protein were found to be useful in differentiating these two tumours and thus helped in making an accurate histopathological diagnosis in these two patients.

Primary lymphoma of the brain.

In this study, clinical and histopathological features of primary lymphomas of the brain have been described in eight patients. The primary nature of lymphoma in these patients was confirmed by extensive clinical as well as radiological investigations and supported by a detailed histopathological examination. Computerised tomography (CT) scan showed multiple intra-cerebral lesion in two patients and in six patients the lesion was solitary. Although primary lymphoma of the brain carries poor prognosis, it is essential that these tumours should be accurately diagnosed as well as should be distinguished from secondary tumours.

Intracranial cystic meningioma.

Two cases of intracranial cystic meningiomas are reported. Neuroradiological and intraoperative diagnoses in both cases were cystic astrocytoma. However routine biopsy during the intra-operative period and an accurate interpretation during frozen-section will establish the diagnosis of cystic meningioma. Complete excision of cyst wall of the meningioma during the surgery will minimise the incidence of recurrence of these benign tumours.