NEET MDS Lessons
General Pathology
Graves disease
Graves disease is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder that results in thyrotoxicosis due to overstimulation of the thyroid gland by autoantibodies.
- It is the most common form of thyrotoxicosis, females being affected more than males by 8: 1.
- It is usually associated with a diffuse enlargement of the thyroid.
Pathogenesis
IgG-type immunoglobulins bind to TSH membrane receptors and cause prolonged stimulation of the thyroid, lasting for as long as 12 hours
(cf. 1 hour for TSH). The autoantibody binds at a site different to the hormone-binding locus and is termed the TSH-receptor autoantibody (TRAb); 95% of Graves’ disease patients are positive for TRAbs
Gross features
- The thyroid gland is diffusely and moderately enlarged
- It is usually smooth, soft, and congested
Histologically
- the gland shows diffuse hypertrophy and hyperplasia of acinar epithelium, reduction of stored colloid and local accumulations of lymphocytes with lymphoid follicle formation.
Clinical features
- Exophthalmos (protrusion of the eyeballs in their sockets)—due to the infiltration of orbital tissues by fat, mucopolysaccharides and lymphocytes. May cause compression of the optic nerve, hence blindness. However, only about 5% of Graves’ patients show signs of exophthalmos.
- Thyroid acropachy—enlargement of fingernails.
- Pretibial myxoedema—accumulation of mucoproteins in the deep dermis of the skin.
Treatment is as for thyrotoxicosis.
Polycystic kidney disease
Characterized by the formation of cysts and partial replacement of renal parenchyma.
Genetic transmission: autosomal dominant.
Clinical manifestations:
hypertension, hematuria, palpable renal masses, and progression to renal failure. Commonly associated with berry
aneurysms.
INFARCTION
Definition : a localized area of ischaemic necrosis in an organ infarcts may be:
Pale :as in
→ Arterial obstruction.
→ solid organs.
Red as in
→ Venous occlusion
→ Loose tissue.
Morphology
Gross: infarcts are usually wedge shaped the apex towards the occluded vessel They are
separated from the surrounding tissue by an hyperemic inflammatory zone
Microscopic:
- An area of coagulative necrosis with a rim of congested vessels and acute inflammatory infiltration of the tissue .
- The polymorphs ale later replaced by mononuclear cells and granulation tissue.
- With time, scar tissue replaces necrosed tissue.
Cholangitis
Cholangitis is inflammation of the bile ducts.
1. It is usually associated with biliary duct obstruction by gallstones or carcinoma, which leads to infection with enteric organisms. This results in purulent exudation within the bile ducts and bile stasis.
2. Clinically, cholangitis presents with jaundice, fever, chills. leukocytosis, and right upper quadrant pain
Wilson’s disease
Caused by a decrease in ceruloplasmin, a serum protein that binds copper, resulting in metastatic copper deposits.
Common organs affected include:
(1) Liver, leading to cirrhosis.
(2) Basal ganglia.
(3) Cornea, where Kayser-Fleischer rings (greenish rings around the cornea) are observed.
Neutrophilia
Causes
-Pyogenic infections.
-Haemorrhage and trauma.
-Malignancies.
-Infarction.
-Myelo proliferative disorders.
Cor pulmonale
a failure of the right side of the heart. It is caused by prolonged high blood pressure in the right ventricle of the heart, which in turn is most often caused by pulmonary hypertension - prolonged high blood pressure in the arteries or veins of the lungs. People with heart disease, or lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis, are at greater risk.
Pathophysiology
There are several mechanisms leading to pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale:
Pulmonary vasoconstriction
Anatomic changes in vascularisation
Increased blood viscosity
Primary pulmonary hypertension
Causes
Acute:
• Massive pulmonary embolization
• Exacerbation of chronic cor pulmonale
Chronic:
• COPD
• Loss of lung tissue following trauma or surgery