RHD, RF and IE

Question 1

what are the clinical features of rheumatic fever

Answer 1

pancarditis, migratory polyarthritis of the large joints, subcutaneous nodules, erythema marginatum of the skin, sydenham chorea

Question 2

what are the inflammation foci on the valves during rheumatic fever called

Answer 2

these are the verrucae. theu are the centres of inflammation with small platelet fibrin thrombi formed over top of the fibrotic healing

Question 3

in rheumatic fever what are the foci of inflammation in the heart called

Answer 3

these are aschoff bodies

Question 4

what do aschoff bodies consist of

Answer 4

cores of necrosis surrounded by lymphocytes, occasional plasma cells, and plump activated macrophages called anitschkow cells

Question 5

what can the anitschkow cells also be called

Answer 5

these are also known as caterpillar cells due to the chromatin of these macrophages being condensed into long, wavy ribbons.

Question 6

whats the pathology term for rheumatic pericarditis

Answer 6

this is the inflammation of the pericardial surface, causing a shaggy fibrin rich exudate on the top called a bread and butter pericarditis.

Question 7

what can we have happen to the mitral valve in cases of rheumatic heart disease

Answer 7

we will get the button hole or fish mouth mitral valve as the valve leaflets have fused together to create this appearance. fused due to the inflammation and the fibrotic healing and things.