histology Flashcards
signet ring cells
Signet ring cells are a histological sign of gastric adenocarcinoma, which accounts for 90-95% of stomach cancers and is more common in males. The sign is named as it is because the cytoplasm of these cancerous cells compresses the nuclei to the peripheries of the cells, causing the resemblance to a signet ring.
auer rods
his histological finding is seen in acute myeloid leukaemia. They are well defined crystallised cytoplasmic protrusions seen within cells and are not found in gastric adenocarcinoma.
crypt abesceeses
Crypt abscesses are classically present in ulcerative colitis, but may also be seen in Crohn’s colitis and infectious colitis.
Suprabasal epidermal acantholysis.
This is histologically seen in the rare dermatological condition pemphigus vulgaris and describes the separation of keratinocytes within the epidermis due to autoimmune damage to desmosomes.
target cells
Target cells can be pathological, but can also be present physiologically post-splenectomy (as the spleen plays an important role in selecting out deranged red blood cells, which it can no longer do once removed). This is important to know as patients with asplenia can be misdiagnosed with other causes of target cells.
carcinoid syndrome
urinary diagnostic marker
tumour secreting stuff - usually occurs when metastases are present in the liver and release serotonin into the systemic circulation
may also occur with lung carcinoid as mediators are not ‘cleared’ by the liver
urinary diagnostic marker
5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid
how do you manage carcinoid syndrome
somatostatin analogues e.g. octreotide
diarrhoea: cyproheptadine may help
what condition is characterised by excessive levels of gastrin
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Diagnosis
fasting gastrin levels: the single best screen test
secretin stimulation test
how to locate femoral artery
The surface landmark for the femoral artery is midway between the ASIS (anterior superior iliac spine) and pubic symphysis. This is also known as the mid-inguinal point.
The inguinal ligament runs from the ASIS to the pubic tubercle, therefore midway between these two points is the midpoint of the inguinal liga
high Hb and polycythaemia sign of what with blood in urine
Polycythaemia is a recognised feature of renal cell carcinoma. Wilms tumours most commonly occur in children.
A 73-year-old man has a large abdominal aortic aneurysm. During a laparotomy for planned surgical repair the surgeons find the aneurysm is far more proximally located and lies near the origin of the SMA. During the dissection a vessel lying transversely across the aorta is injured. What is this vessel most likely to be?
left renal vein - runs across the aorta
IVC on the left side f body
Which of the following is an absolute contraindication to laparoscopic surgery?
Raised ICP
signet ring cells
gastric adenocarcinoma
Which of the following is an absolute contraindication to laparoscopic surgery?
sup to midpoint of inguinal ligament
