An unusual case of plasma cell granuloma involving lung and brain.

A young male aged 20 years had resection of the upper lobe of right lung for plasma cell granuloma. Five years later he developed three lesions in the brain, one of which was resected. Brain lesion showed similar histopathological picture. A unique case of plasma cell granuloma involving more than one organ is reported.

Histopathological Patrern of Early Syphilis.

Thirty six untreated cases of early syphilis comprising 10 primary and 26 secondary syphilis were included in the study. Primary syphilis depicted classical istopathological features of ulceration, exocytosis, perivascular infiltrate of lympocytes and plasma cells along with endothelial cell proliferation. Secondary syphilis, however, depicted intriguing features. Lichenoid infiltrate along with basal layer dissolution was seen in 3 and psoriasiform appearance in 1 cases. Three cases showed granulomatous reaction. One case manifesting as pruritic follicular rash had classical features on histopathology. Vascular changes were absent or inconspicuous in as many as 22.2% and 8.3% respectively.

Histochemical Profile of Vitiligo.

Fifty untreated vitiligo patients were subjected to histo-chemical examination using dopa reaction technique. Dopa positive melanocytes were absent in a large majority (82%) of cases. Increase in the number of supra-basal clear cells was observed in 70 percent. Presence of inflammatory infiltrate at dermo- epidermal junction along with basal cell layer-dissolution was seen in 7 cases. Grayish-black, void cells considered to be inactive melanocytes, were seen in the basal layer.

An appraisal of epidemiologic, clinical, bacteriologic, histopathologic, and immunologic parameters in cutaneous tuberculosis.

Cutaneous tuberculosis incidence was recorded as 0.15%. Of the 42 patients, 23 had scrofuloderma, 17 lupus vulgaris, and 2 tuberculosis verrucosa cutis. Both men and women were affected by the disease in the second and third decades. Its duration was variable. An affirmative family history was elicited in five scrofuloderma patients. The clinical expression largely conformed to the ritual text. Variation in Mantoux test positivity was unremarkable. The disparity in the demonstration of bacilli in the smear and tissue sections was, however, quite apparent in scrofuloderma. The correlation of different parameters indicates a continuous spectrum, formed at one end by lupus vulgaris, and at another by scrofuloderma. A moderate to strongly positive Mantoux text, enormous lymphocytes in the granuloma, absence of tubercle bacilli, negative culture, and an apparently normal immunoprofile were features of lupus vulgaris; whereas scrofuloderma had a moderately positive Mantoux test, lesser number of lymphocytes in the granuloma, large number of bacilli in tissue smear and/or tissue section, raised levels of immunoglobulins, and a grossly lowered C3 levels. The other variants probably occupy a position in between.

Histoid leprosy--a histopathological reapparel.

Twenty three clinically diagnosed histoid leprosy patients were subjected to histopathological and histochemical investigations. The histopathological features were comprise of a well-formed lesion surrounded by a pseudocapsule. In addition, a free, midly eosinophilic, uninvolved sub-epidermal zone, and variously arranged spindle-shaped histiocytes were noted in the lesion. Polygonal and foamy histiocytes were also sited in a few sections. The lesion also had a large number of solid staining acid-fast lepra bacilli. The latter might have stimulated a peculiar histiocytic tissue response almost identical to that seen in histiocytoma(cutis) but for the absence of haemosidrin and lipids.

An autopsy study of rheumatic heart disease. Part I. Valvular involvement and Aschoff bodies.

Autopsy study of 60 cases of rheumatic heart disease is presented, demonstrating an increased incidence of panvalvulitis in our series. The presence of Aschoff bodies is correlated with the clinical and laboratory parameters of activity and their significance is discussed.

An autopsy study of rheumatic heart disease. Part II. Associated findings.

Histo-morphological changes of the coronary vessels in cases of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) have been studied in 60 cases. Involvement of intramyocardial branches of coronary vessels in the form of active rheumatic vasculitis or inactive lesions characterized by medial hypertrophy and replacement fibrosis was seen in 15 of 60 cases. These lesions may affect myocardial function. Atherosclerosis of the pulmonary trunk and its branches was frequently seen in these hearts, indicating that this may be an important index of pulmonary hypertension. An unusual association of bicuspid aortic stenosis and RHD was seen in one case. Another case showed acute myocardial infarction due to coronary embolism from bacterial vegetation of bacterial endocarditis.

The histopathology of type I (lepra) and type II (ENL) reactions in leprosy.

The histopathological features in type I (lepra) reaction comprised a loose and disorganised granuloma in the upper and mid-dermis, dermal edema and variable cellular contents, namely, epithelioid cells, lymphocytes, giant cells, and macrophages. While ENL reactions, were characterised by predominant involvement of subcutaneous vessels, vasculitis, and polymorphonuclear infiltration in and around the blood vessels.

Evaluation of histological appearance of tissues removed by cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA).

Histological appearances of the tissue fragments obtained by cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) were studied in 25 cases to determine whether the aspirated tissue could be used for diagnosis. It was found that a definite diagnosis could be made on the tissue removed by this method.

Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) in histoid leprosy.

The morphological features of ENL, occurring in histoid leprosy are described. Its infrequent occurrence has been emphasised. The possible immunopathogenesis of its occurrence in histoid leprosy is briefly outlined.