NEET MDS Lessons
General Pathology
Joint pathology
1. Rheumatoid arthritis
a. Cause is autoimmune in nature.
b. More common in women aged 20 to 50.
c. Characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane. Granulation tissue, known as pannus, will form in the synovium and expand over the articular cartilage. This causes the destruction of the underlying cartilage and results in fibrotic changes and ankylosis.
Scarring, contracture, and deformity of the joints may occur.
d. Clinical symptoms include swollen joints. It can affect any joint in the body.
2. Osteoarthritis
a. Most common arthritis.
b. Cause is unknown.
c. Higher incidence in women, usually after age 50.
d. Characterized by degeneration of the articular cartilage and the formation of osteophytes (bony spurs) at the margins of affected areas.
Clinical signs and symptoms include:
(1) Stiff and painful joints affecting joints in the hand (phalangeal joints) and weight-bearing joints.
(2) Heberden’s nodes—nodules at the distal interphalangeal joint.
(3) Bocard’s nodes—nodules at the proximal interphalangeal joint.
Hyperparathyroidism
Abnormally high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) cause hypercalcemia. This can result from either primary or secondary causes. Primary hyperparathyroidism is caused usually by a parathyroid adenoma, which is associated with autonomous PTH secretion. Secondary hyperparathyroidism, on the other hand, can occur in the setting of chronic renal failure. In either situation, the presence of excessive amounts of this hormone leads to significant skeletal changes related to a persistently exuberant osteoclast activity that is associated with increased bone resorption and calcium mobilization. The entire skeleton is affected. PTH is directly responsible for the bone changes seen in primary hyperparathyroidism, but in secondary hyperparathyroidism additional influences also contribute. In chronic renal failure there is inadequate 1,25- (OH)2-D synthesis that ultimately affects gastrointestinal calcium absorption. The hyperphosphatemia of renal
failure also suppresses renal α1-hydroxylase, which further impair vitamin D synthesis; all these eventuate in hypocalcemia, which stimulates excessive secretion of PTH by the parathyroid glands, & hence elevation in PTH serum levels.
Gross features
• There is increased osteoclastic activity, with bone resorption. Cortical and trabecular bone are lost and replaced by loose connective tissue.
• Bone resorption is especially pronounced in the subperiosteal regions and produces characteristic radiographic changes, best seen along the radial aspect of the middle phalanges of the second and third fingers.
Microscopical features
• There is increased numbers of osteoclasts and accompanying erosion of bone surfaces.
• The marrow space contains increased amounts of loose fibrovascular tissue.
• Hemosiderin deposits are present, reflecting episodes of hemorrhage resulting from microfractures of the weakened bone.
• In some instances, collections of osteoclasts, reactive giant cells, and hemorrhagic debris form a distinct mass, termed "brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism". Cystic change is common in such lesions (hence the name osteitis fibrosa cystica). Patients with hyperparathyroidism have reduced bone mass, and hence are increasingly susceptible to fractures and bone deformities.
Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disorder usually present in the late teenage years characterized by comedones, papules, nodules, and cysts.
- subdivided into obstructive type with closed comedones (whiteheads) and open comedones (blackheads) and the inflammatory type consisting of papules, pustules, nodules, cysts and scars.
- pathogenesis of inflammatory acne relates to blockage of the hair follicle with keratin and sebaceous secretions, which are acted upon by Propionibacterium acnes (anaerobe) that causes the release of irritating fatty acids resulting in an inflammatory response.
- pathogenesis of the obstructive type (comedones) is related to plugging of the outlet of a hair follicle by keratin debris.
- chocolate, shellfish, nuts iodized salt do not aggravate acne.
- obstructive type is best treated with benzoyl peroxide and triretnoin (vitamin A acid)
- treatment of inflammatory type is the above plus antibiotics (topical and/or systemic; erythromycin, tetracycline, clindamycin).
HAEMORRHAGIC DISORDERS
Normal homeostasis depends on
-Capillary integrity and tissue support.
- Platelets; number and function
(a) For integrity of capillary endothelium and platelet plug by adhesion and aggregation
(b) Vasoactive substances for vasoconstriction
(c) Platelet factor for coagulation.
(d) clot retraction.
- Fibrinolytic system(mainly Plasmin) : which keeps the coagulation system in check.
Coagulation disorders
These may be factors :
Deficiency .of factors
- Genetic.
- Vitamin K deficiency.
- Liver disease.
- Secondary to disseminated intravascular coagulation.or defibrinatian
Overactive fibrinolytic system.
Inhibitors of the factors (immune, acquired).
Anticoagulant therapy as in myocardial infarction.
Haemophilia. Genetic disease transmitted as X linked recessive trait. Common in Europe. Defect in fcatorVII Haemophilia A .or in fact .or IX-Haemaphilia B (rarer).
Features:
- May manifest in infancy or later.
- Severity depends on degree of deficiency.
- Persistant wound bleeding.
- Easy Bruising with Hematoma formation
Nose bleed , arthrosis, abdominal pain with fever and leukocytosis
Prognosis is good with prevention of trauma and-transfusion of Fresh blood or fTesh plasma except for danger of developing immune inhibitors.
Von Willebrand's disease. Capillary fragility and decreased factor VIII (due to deficient stimulatory factor). It is transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner both. Sexes affected equally
Vitamin K Deficiency. Vitamin K is needed for synthesis of factor II,VII,IX and X.
Deficiency maybe due to:
Obstructive jaundice.
Steatorrhoea.
Gut sterilisation by antibiotics.
Liver disease results in :
Deficient synthesis of factor I II, V, Vll, IX and X Incseased fibrinolysis (as liver is the site of detoxification of activators ).
Defibrination syndrome. occurs when factors are depleted due to disseminated .intravascular coagulation (DIC). It is initiated by endothelial damage or tissue factor entering the circulation.
Causes
Obstetric accidents, especially amniotic fluid embolism. Septicaemia. .
Hypersensitivity reactions.
Disseminated malignancy.
Snake bite.
Vascular defects : (Non thrombocytopenic purpura).
Acquired :
Simple purpura a seen in women. It is probably endocrinal
Senile parpura in old people due to reduced tissue support to vessels
Allergic or toxic damage to endothelium due to Infections like Typhoid Septicemia
Col!agen diseases.
Scurvy
Uraemia damage to endothelium (platelet defects).
Drugs like aspirin. tranquillisers, Streptomvcin pencillin etc.
Henoc schonlien purpura Widespeard vasculitis due to hypersensitivity to bacteria or foodstuff
It manifests as :
Pulrpurric rashes.
Arthralgia.
Abdominal pain.
Nephritis and haematuria.
Hereditary :
(a) Haemhoragic telangieclasia. Spider like tortous vessels which bleed easily. There are disseminated lesions in skin, mucosa and viscera.
(b) Hereditary capillary fragilily similar to the vascular component of von Willbrand’s disease
.(c) Ehler Danlos Syndrome which is a connective tissue defect with skin, vascular and joint manifestations.
Platelet defects
These may be :
(I) Qualitative thromboasthenia and thrombocytopathy.
(2) Thrombocytopenia :Reduction in number.
(a) Primary or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
(b) Secondary to :
(i) Drugs especially sedormid
(ii) Leukaemias
(iii) Aplastic-anaemia.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Commoner in young females.
Manifests as :
Acute self limiting type.
Chronic recurring type.
Features:
(i) Spontaneous bleeding and easy bruisability
(ii)Skin (petechiae), mucus membrane (epistaxis) lesions and sometimes visceral lesions involving any organ.
Thrombocytopenia with abnormal forms of platelets.
Marrow shows increased megakaryocytes with immature forms, vacuolation, and lack of platelet budding.
Pathogenesis:
hypersensitivity to infective agent in acute type.
Plasma thrombocytopenic factor ( Antibody in nature) in chronic type
Clinical genetics (cytogenetics),
This is a method in which inherited chromosomal abnormalities in the germ cells or acquired chromosomal abnormalities in somatic cells are investigated using the techniques of molecular biology.
Osteomyelitis
This refers to inflammation of the bone and related marrow cavity almost always due to infection. Osteomyelitis can be acute or a chronic. The most common etiologic agents are pyogenic bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Pyogenic Osteomyelitis
The offending organisms reach the bone by one of three routes:
1. Hematogenous dissemination (most common)
2. Extension from a nearby infection (in adjacent joint or soft tissue)
3. Traumatic implantation of bacteria (as after compound fractures or orthopedic procedures). Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequent cause. Mixed bacterial infections, including anaerobes, are responsible for osteomyelitis complicating bone trauma. In as many as 50% of cases, no organisms can be isolated.
Pathologic features
• The offending bacteria proliferate & induce an acute inflammatory reaction.
• Entrapped bone undergoes early necrosis; the dead bone is called sequestrum.
• The inflammation with its bacteria can permeate the Haversian systems to reach the periosteum. In children, the periosteum is loosely attached to the cortex; therefore, sizable subperiosteal abscesses can form and extend for long distances along the bone surface.
• Lifting of the periosteum further impairs the blood supply to the affected region, and both suppurative and ischemic injury can cause segmental bone necrosis.
• Rupture of the periosteum can lead to an abscess in the surrounding soft tissue and eventually the formation of cutaneous draining sinus. Sometimes the sequestrum crumbles and passes through the sinus tract.
• In infants (uncommonly in adults), epiphyseal infection can spread into the adjoining joint to produce suppurative arthritis, sometimes with extensive destruction of the articular cartilage and permanent disability.
• After the first week of infection chronic inflammatory cells become more numerous. Leukocyte cytokine release stimulates osteoclastic bone resorption, fibrous tissue ingrowth, and bone formation in the periphery, this occurs as a shell of living tissue (involucrum) around a segment of dead bone. Viable organisms can persist in the sequestrum for years after the original infection.
Chronicity may develop when there is delay in diagnosis, extensive bone necrosis, and improper management.
Complications of chronic osteomyelitis include
1. A source of acute exacerbations
2. Pathologic fracture
3. Secondary amyloidosis
4. Endocarditis
5. Development of squamous cell carcinoma in the sinus tract (rarely osteosarcoma).
Tuberculous Osteomyelitis
Bone infection complicates up to 3% of those with pulmonary tuberculosis. Young adults or children are usually affected. The organisms usually reach the bone hematogenously. The long bones and vertebrae are favored sites. The lesions are often solitary (multifocal in AIDS patients). The infection often spreads from the initial site of bacterial deposition (the synovium of the vertebrae, hip, knee, ankle, elbow, wrist, etc) into the adjacent epiphysis, where it causes typical granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis and extensive
bone destruction. Tuberculosis of the vertebral bodies (Pott disease), is an important form of osteomyelitis.
Infection at this site causes vertebral deformity and collapse, with secondary neurologic deficits. Extension of the infection to the adjacent soft tissues with the development of psoas muscle abscesses is fairly common in Pott disease. Advanced cases are associated with cutaneous sinuses, which cause secondary bacterial infections. Diagnosis is established by synovial fluid direct examination, culture or PCR
Clinical & biologic death
Clinical death
Clinical death is the reversible transmission between life and biologic death. Clinical death is defined as the period of respiratory, circulatory and brain arrest during which initiation of resuscitation can lead to recovery.
Signs indicating clinical death are
• The patient is without pulse or blood pressure and is completely unresponsive to the most painful stimulus.
• The pupils are widely dilated
• Some reflex reactions to external stimulation are preserved. For example, during intubations, respiration may be restored in response to stimulation of the receptors of the superior laryngeal nerve, the nucleus of which is located in the medulla oblongata near the respiratory center.
• Recovery can occur with resuscitation.
Biological Death
Biological death (sure sign of death), which sets in after clinical death, is an irreversible state
of cellular destruction. It manifests with irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory
functions, or irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including brain stem.