Enterococcus faecalis causes osteitis deformans in aGolden Lancehead snake (Bothrops insularis): a case report / Enterococcus faecalis causa osteíte deformante em uma serpente Jararaca-ilhoa (Bothrops insularis): relato de caso

Osteitis deformans (Paget's disease) is a chronic bone disorder characterized by excessive osteoclast-mediated bone resorption followed by new bone formation. The present paper reports this condition in an 18-year-old captive golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis) from Brazil. This patient initially exhibited anorexia and swelling in the middle third of the spine associated with locomotor disability. For diagnosis, radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography, cytology, and microbiological culture were performed. Diagnostic imaging showed bone changes, vertebral fusion, and bone proliferation. Cytology revealed blood cells how toxic heterophiles, reactive monocytes, young red blood cells, and polychromasia compatible with an infectious process. A bacterial culture identified an ampicillin-susceptible strain of Enterococcus faecalis. Antibiotic treatment was promptly started, but the snake died 25 days later. Histopathologically, the bone tissue showed a generalized thickening of the vertebral trabeculae. For the first time, the presence of E. faecalisassociated with the development of osteitis deformans in snakes was presented.(AU)

Osteíte deformante (Doença de Paget) é um distúrbio ósseo crônico caracterizado por reabsorção óssea excessiva mediada por osteoclastos, seguida por nova formação óssea. O presente trabalho relata essa condição em uma serpente jararaca-ilhoa (Bothrops insularis) do Brasil de 18 anos. O paciente apresentou inicialmente anorexia e um inchaço no primeiro terço médio da coluna associado com a incapacidade locomotora. O diagnóstico foi estabelecido com o apoio de radiografia, ultrassonografia, tomografia computadorizada, citologia e cultura microbiológica. O diagnóstico por imagem mostrou alterações ósseas, fusão de vértebras e proliferação óssea. A citologia mostrou células sanguíneas como heterófílos tóxicos, monócitos reativos, células sanguíneas jovens e policromasia compatíveis com um processo infeccioso. A cultura bacteriana identificou uma cepa de Enterococcus faecalis suscetível à ampicilina. O tratamento com antibióticos foi iniciado imediatamente, mas a serpente morreu 25 dias depois. Histopatologicamente, o tecido ósseo mostrou um espessamento generalizado das trabéculas vertebrais. Portanto, foi demonstrado pela primeira vez a presença de E. faecalis associada ao desenvolvimento de osteíte deformante em uma serpente.(AU)

A novel approach to decalcification in histopathology laboratory: An adaptation from the Hammersmith protocol

Aim: Utility of modified Hammersmith protocol in the deacalcification and/or softening of tissues and samples in a histopathology laboratory were studied. The object of the study was to prepare a novel method for softening/decalcifying tissue for histopathology. Materials and Methods: All the hard tissues received in the histopathology section were received in 10% neutral buffered formalin and then placed in freshly prepared combination of 10 mL of concentrated formaldehyde and 5 mL of 10% formic acid in 85 mL distilled water was used for decalcification. The tissue was checked for evidence of adequate decalcification/softening every 6 hours. Those which were decalcified/softened were sent for routine tissue processing and staining, while those which were not, were again placed in formalin. The process was repeated until the tissue was ready for further processing. The routine sections of these slides were reviewed for morphology and stain quality along with special stains and immunohistochemistry performed. The time taken for decalcification, the variables most likely to affect decalcification, the morphology and staining characteristics were documented. Statistical analysis was done to determine the effect of softening/decalcification process on each variable. Results: A total of 201 blocks in 119 specimens from humans including 61 males and 58 females were studied. Time taken was found to have a significant correlation only with the nature of the tissue (bone vs nonbone) and not with any other parameter viz. age, gender, specimen size, type of bone, and nature of pathology. Conclusion: This novel and modified method has circumvented the common problems of overdecalcification, preserved morphology, and produced consistent results without interfering with special stains and immunohistochemistry.

Temporal Bone Squamous Cell Carcinoma the Outcome of Radical Surgery as an Initial Treatment.

Aims: The aim of this study is to analyse the clinical data and management of patients with temporal bone carcinoma and to discuss the management outcomes. Study Design: Retrospective study Place and Duration of Study: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (academic tertiary centre) from January 2002 to December 2011. Methodology: Medical records of nine patients were retrieved for this study. There were seven male and two female patients. The mean age of presentation was 60 years old, with an age range between 49 to 75 years. The clinical presentations, investigations, staging, treatment modalities and outcomes are reviewed. Results: Four patients presented with primary tumour of the temporal bone, while the remaining five were referred from other centres with disease recurrence. Only one out of the five patients that were referred to us had underwent a lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) at presentation which was however an incomplete LTBR. Three out of the five patients (60%) have died with disease recurrence. One patient remained disease free while another patient was lost to follow up. Two out of the four patients who presented with primary tumour remained well while two others had positive margins due to advanced disease at presentation. Conclusion: Recurrence of disease is likely to occur if aggressive treatment is not offered at presentation or if the diagnosis is delayed. We therefore strongly suggest for early referral to a tertiary centre as aggressive primary surgical treatment with adjuvant radiotherapy shows a better prognosis.

Osteopatia hipertrófica em sete cães / Hypertrophic osteopathy in seven dogs

Os achados clínico-patológicos de sete casos de osteopatia hipertrófica em cães foram estudados. Os cães afetados apresentavam sinais clínicos indicativos de envolvimento ósseo e lesões macroscópicas principalmente nos ossos longos dos membros. As lesões consistiram de neoformação óssea periosteal detectada em exame radiográfico, na inspeção óssea durante a necropsia e, com grande nível de detalhamento, em espécimes ósseos macerados. A proliferação óssea observada era parcialmente circunferencial e ocorreu principalmente na diáfise dos ossos longos. Era constituída por trabéculas ósseas de tamanho e espessura irregulares que estavam dispostas de forma perpendicular ao córtex ósseo original. Em todos os casos as lesões de osteopatia hipertrófica foram associadas a neoplasmas pulmonares (primários ou metastáticos).

Clinical and pathological aspects of hypertrophic osteopathy in seven dogs were studied. Affected dogs had clinical signs of bone involvement and lesions mainly in the long bones of the limbs. The lesions consisted of periosteal new bone formation detected on radiographic examination, inspection of bones during the necropsy, and with great detail, in macerated bone specimens. The bone proliferation observed was partially circumferential and occurred mainly in the diaphysis of long bones. It consisted of bone trabeculae of irregular size and thickness that were arranged perpendicularly to the original bone cortex. In all cases the lesions were associated with lung neoplasms (primary or metastatic).

Diagnóstico diferencial de amigdalolitíase / Differential diagnosis of tonsillolith

Introdução e objetivo: A amigdalolitíase é uma calcificação distrófica rara na tonsila ou região peritonsilar que pode mimetizar diversas patologias ósseas radiopacas quando avaliadas por imagens bidimensionais ou superpostas. Tal fato pode levar a diagnósticos equivocados e a condutas invasivas desnecessárias. Relatamos um caso de amigdalolitíase inicialmente diagnosticado como odontoma. Relato de caso: Uma paciente com diagnóstico primário de presença de odontoma em ramo mandibular foi encaminhada para tratamento cirúrgico dessa lesão. Conclusão: Tomografias são de fundamental importância no estabelecimento de diagnóstico diferencial e tratamento adequado do paciente.

Introduction: Tonsillolith is a rare type of dystrophic calcification in the palatine tonsils or in the peritonsilar region, which can mimics several intraosseous radiopaque lesions when evaluated by two-dimensional or overlapping images. This may lead to an erroneous diagnosis and to invasive and unnecessary procedures. This study reports a case of tonsillolith that was wrongly diagnosed as an odontoma. Case report: A patient with primary diagnosis of odontoma in the mandibular ramus was referred to surgical treatment of this lesion. Conclusion: Computed tomography (CT) scans are fundamentally important to establish differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment for the patient.

Mandibular periosteal (juxtacortical) chondrosarcoma

Periosteal (juxtacortical) chondrosarcoma (PC) is a well-differentiated malignant cartilage-forming tumor arising from the external bone surface, especially in long bones. The therapy of choice is en-bloc resection and, in general, its prognosis is good. This paper reports a rare case of PC affecting the mandible of a 41-year-old man. The lesion presented as a slow-growing-painless swelling that lasted 2 months. Computed tomography scan showed a tumoral mass arising from the external bone surface, extending into the adjacent soft tissue presenting patchy regions of popcorn-like calcifications. A final diagnosis of PC (grade II) was rendered after biopsy. Hemimandibulectomy was undertaken followed by complementary radiotherapy with 70 Gy. Although no episodes of recurrence or metastasis had been noticed after 18 months of follow-up, the patient died and causa mortis could not be established.

Condrossarcoma (juxtacortical) periosteal (CP) é um tumor maligno produtor de cartilagem bem diferenciado que normalmente surge na superfície externa dos ossos longos. O tratamento de escolha para esse tumor é a ressecção em bloco e, em geral, apresenta um prognóstico bom. Nesse trabalho, nós apresentamos um caso raro de CP afetando a mandíbula de um homem de 41 anos de idade. A lesão apresentava um crescimento lento e indolor de 2 meses de evolução. A tomografia computadorizada revelou a presença de uma massa tumoral surgindo na superfície externa do osso mandibular exibindo agregados de tecido calcificado no seu interior e que se estendia para os tecidos moles adjacentes. Depois de realizada uma biópsia, um diagnóstico final de CP (grau II) foi estabelecido. O tratamento de escolha foi hemimandibulectomia seguida por radioterapia complementar na dose de 70 Gy. Embora nenhum episódio de recorrência ou metástase tenha sido noticiado após 18 meses de acompanhamento, o paciente morreu e a causa mortis não pôde ser determinada.