Unusual appearance of a cisternal hydatid cyst

We herein describe a case of an isolated multilocular hydatid cyst occurring in the basilar cisterns, with nondependent levels of different signal intensities shown on MR images. Three portions were visualized on T1-weighted images: the hyperintense inferior aspect, the isointense central part, and the superior aspect of lower signal intensity. The inferior portion was hypointense on T2-weighted images. This unusual appearance was caused by layering of hydatid sand and may represent a characteristic feature of hydatid disease.     

Diagnostic Impact of Ornithine Decarboxylase in Meningiomas

The objective of this study was to investigate whether activity and protein expression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) the metabolism-rate limiting enzyme of the polyamine biosynthesis, which is involved in the regulation of cellular growth and differentiation, reflects the distinct histopathologic characteristics indicative of atypia and anaplasia in meningiomas as well as their impact in recurrences. The authors previously evaluated its value as a critical factor of tumor development in various brain tumors. Among 152 meningiomas, World Health Organisations (WHO) grade I meningiomas (n = 121) exhibited a low ODC activity, while meningiomas WHO grade II (n = 22) and WHO grade III (n = 9), respectively, showed a significantly increased ODC activity. Recurrent WHO grade I meningiomas exhibited the same low enzyme activity and immunohistochemical staining index for ODC positive tumor cells as their primary tumors, whereas raising ODC activity and protein expression in recurrent meningiomas paralleled malignant transformation. These results indicate that ODC reflects aggressive growth and malignization in meningiomas. Especially in recurrent meningiomas, the determination of its activity and protein expression by immunohistochemistry may provide a useful diagnostic tool to recognize malignant progression.     

Renal autotransplantation in management of bilateral ureteral mortar shell injuries: a case report

We present a 36-year-old female patient who was injured in the pelvic region by a mortar shell fragment. The trauma comprised a complex lesion to both ureters, to the urinary bladder, and to the pelvic brim. The ruptured urinary bladder was sutured and a bilateral ureterocutaneostomy was performed in a hospital near the front line. Because of a large scar and the right ureter necrosis, a kidney autotransplant was performed 3 months later. A left ureterocystoneostomy was done. Five years later, because of urosepsis and hydronephrosis caused by a ureteral calculus, a nephrostomy was placed in the proximal right ureter, antibiotic treatment was prescribed, and the calculus was managed by crushing the stones using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Ten years after the initial trauma, the patient is well, has normal micturition, and both of her kidneys are functioning normally.     

Histopathologic parameters as predictors of response to endoscopic sinus surgery in nonallergic patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the predictable value of histopathologic parameters in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) for response to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). STUDY DESIGN: Symptomatology was rated in 100 patients prior to as well as 12 and 24 months after surgery. Specimens taken during the procedure were examined and scored for goblet cells, subepithelial thickening, mast cells, and eosinophils. Multiple regression analysis was performed to predict the total score of subjective symptoms before treatment by histopathologic parameters. The correlation between histopathologic parameters and postoperative symptoms was then evaluated. RESULTS: Goblet cells were the best predictor correlating with 5 symptoms. Subepithelial thickening correlated with 4 symptoms. Mast cell infiltration correlated with 3 symptoms. Eosinophilic infiltration correlated with only one symptom (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Certain histopathologic parameters in CRS are predictive of favorable response to ESS. SIGNIFICANCE: Pathologic evaluation may help the ENT surgeon to predict the persistence of certain CRS symptoms after ESS, even in patients at low risk for surgical failure. EBM rating: C-4.     

The frequency and distribution of caries in the mediaeval population of Bijelo Brdo in Croatia (10th-11th century)

Reconstruction of the life of ancient peoples can be accomplished by studying their dental remains. The further we go into the past, the greater the importance of dental remains for answering a wide spectre of questions related to the life of a particular community. The dental system is a valuable source of information on the type of food, illnesses, and social stratification within a community. The purpose of this paper was to determine the frequency, distribution, and characteristics of dental caries in the mediaeval population of Bijelo Brdo in Croatia. The analysed sample consisted of the dental remains of 85 individuals with the total of 1064 teeth. The majority (979 or 92.0%) of the teeth belonged to the permanent dentition, and this data set was analysed in this report. The frequency of antemortem tooth loss in the sample was 6.7%, the frequency of caries - 9.5%. The most frequent recorded caries were interproximal (3.9%), followed by occlusal (2.9%), and buccal/lingual (1.3%). This research showed that the frequency and distribution of dental caries in the early mediaeval population from Bijelo Brdo is very similar to that of other European populations of the same socio-economic status during the same historic period. Chronological changes in the localisation of caries in populations that inhabited continental Croatia during the mediaeval period indicate a gradual reduction of interproximal caries and an increase of occlusal, buccal, and lingual lesions. These data suggest a change of diet with softer foods becoming more available in the younger time periods.     

Informatics system at the Croatian Institute of Health Insurance today and plans for future

Basic information is provided on the informatics system at the Croatian Institute of Health Insurance (CIHI). The focus is on the newwork infrastructure, which connects 130 locations 24 hours on line and installed hardware and software equipment at CIHI. A modern network infrastructure makes technical basis of modern informatics system. Technical data on the safe and reliable communication system with FR telecommunication capacity are presented. UNIX servers at the headquaters and branch offices, INFORMIX database and the own application ZOROH provide a basis for core business. Active Directory, web pages www.hzzo-net.hr, Intranet and CIHI IT portal are the main parts of the modern CIHI office info subsystem. Basic information is given about the system for production and.distribution of health insurance cards--plastic cards with magnetic strip for basic and additional health insurance. Informatics Department of CIHI has issued more than 13,000,000 basic health insurance cards and over 1,500,000 additional health insurance cards. Data storage and reporting system as part of the CIHI informatics system is essential for analyzing and planning health insurance business. CIHI IT has created a modern reporting system with: (a) superior performance and power of analytical and reporting possibilities; (b) scalable and flexible platform; (c) proactive reporting (Web, SMS, WAP, e-mail, fax, voice); (d) web interface for users. The presentation is concluded with basic information on the current projects such as introduction of digital signature in CIHI and plans for the introduction of smart cards instead of plastic cards with magnetic strip. Today, CIHI IT plays the major role in the process of health system computerization in Croatia. CIHI is technically and personnel equipped for computerization of the entire health system. The informatics system of CIHI can serve as a backbone for the informatics health system in the future.     

Periacinar retraction clefting in the prostatic needle core biopsies: an important diagnostic criterion or a simple artifact?

The diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma in needle core biopsy is based on major and supportive criteria. One of the supportive criteria is the presence of retraction clefting around neoplastic glands. We analyzed a series of 137 prostatic cancer cases diagnosed by needle core biopsy to determine the frequency, extent and criteria for periacinar retraction clefting. Clefting was analyzed on ten neoplastic and ten normal glands in three different high power fields. One-third or more glands with clefts affecting more than 50% of circumference were significantly more common in tumors (51.8%) than in benign glands (8%) (P<0.0001). A stricter criterion that designated as positive the cases with at least 50% of neoplastic glands (15 of 30) with clefts that affected more than 50% of circumference revealed clefts in only 15.3% of the malignant cases but none in benign cases (0%) (P<0.0001). Regardless of their extension, 15 or more glands with clefts were also more prominent in malignant cases (86.9%) than in benign cases (20.4%) (P<0.0001). We conclude that periacinar retraction clefting represents a reliable criterion for diagnosis of the prostatic adenocarcinoma, especially in cases with clefts affecting more than 50% of circumference in at least 50% of suspicious glands.     

Benign mesenchymal liver hamartoma in an adult male: a case report and review of the literature

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver is an uncommon benign lesion seen almost exclusively in children younger than two years of age. The first case was reported in 1903, and until now fewer than 200 cases have been reported. A 38-year-old male complaining of dull subcostal pain lasting for almost 10 months was found on abdominal ultrasound to have a focal lesion of the liver. He was referred to our Unit where imaging procedures (ultrasound and computed tomography) revealed a solid lesion, 8 centimeters in diameter, located in the IVb and V segments of the liver. There were no clear margins between the lesion and the gallbladder wall. Alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen were within normal limits and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 was minimally elevated. There was no evidence of metastatic disease. Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the lesion was done and pathology report of a biopsy specimen suggested that the tumor was probably a benign mesenchymal hamartoma. The patient underwent a formal bi-segmentectomy (IVb and V segments) with cholecystectomy. Definitive pathology report confirmed the diagnosis of a benign mesenchymal hamartoma.