Ileal atresia with segmental defect of intestinal musculature.

An unusual case of segmental defect of ileal musculature with terminal ileal atresia and ventricular septal defect is reported. Clinically the patient was diagnosed as ileal atresia. On exploration, there was type I atresia at ileocaecal junction with attendant ileal dilatation and an adjoining 5 cm x 4 cm segment resembling segmental dilatation of ileum, about 15 cm proximal to ileocaecal junction. Pathological examination of segmentally dilated ileum revealed focal absence of circular and longitudinal muscle coat without any evidence of necrosis or inflammation. The possible etiology and its relationship with congenital segmental dilatation of intestine is discussed.

Placental pathology in pre-eclampsia eclampsia syndrome.

Quantitative analysis of placental pathology was carried out on 20 placentae from various grades of pre-eclampsia eclampsia syndrome and 20 placentae from control group. Placental weights were lower in the study group. The gross abnormalities noted were the placental infarcts, retroplacental haematoma and calcification. The striking villous lesions observed in the study group were cytotrophoblastic cell proliferation, thickening of villous basement membrane and paucity of vasculosyncytial membrane and these findings correlated well with the severity of maternal disease. These vascular villous lesions were considered secondary to uteroplacental ischaemia.