Lymph nodes with acellular mucin harvested from treated colorectal cancers (CRC) are staged as pN0. However, there is variability among pathologists while reporting the pN stage when acellular mucin is found within nodes of untreated CRCs. While the UICC guidelines suggest staging them as pN1, the AJCC and CAP do not offer any recommendations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRectovaginal septum primary cancer is an extremely rare entity including gastrointestinal stromal tumor , adenocarcinoma (endometriosis related/unrelated) and Mullerian cell remnant cancer. These cancers are usually asymptomatic, but can grow large enough to present with pelvic discomfort or pressure symptoms (urinary retention or constipation). Imaging plays an important role in detection, characterization, staging workup and follow-up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA 47-year-old man presented with fatigue, decrease appetite, abdominal pain and rectal bleeding. His colonoscopy revealed a single, firm, raised, centrally ulcerated mass at the anorectal junction. During this same admission, he was diagnosed with HIV and syphilis, found to have multiple hepatic lesions and positive cerebrospinal fluidvenereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Worldwide, systemic arterial hypertension is a leading cause of death and non-communicable cardiovascular disease. A major factor contributing to this disease is a sedentary lifestyle. However, physical exercise, such as martial arts, may be an option for blood pressure (BP) control.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The purpose of the study was to compare utilization and charges generated by medical doctors (MD), doctors of chiropractic (DC) and physical therapists (PT) by patterns of care for the treatment of low back pain in North Carolina.
Methods: This was an analysis of low-back-pain-related closed claim data from the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees from 2000 to 2009. Data were extracted from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina for the North Carolina State Health Plan using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision diagnostic codes for uncomplicated low back pain (ULBP) and complicated low back pain (CLBP).
Objectives: The purpose of the study was to compare utilization and charges generated by medical doctors (MD), doctors of chiropractic (DC) and physical therapists (PT) by provider patterns of care for the treatment of neck pain in North Carolina.
Methods: This was an analysis of neck-pain-related closed claim data from the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees (NCSHP) from 2000 to 2009. Data were extracted from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina for the NCSHP using ICD-9 diagnostic codes for uncomplicated neck pain (UNP) and complicated neck pain (CNP).
Objectives: The purpose of the study was to compare patterns of utilization and charges generated by medical doctors (MDs), doctors of chiropractic (DCs), and physical therapists (PTs) for the treatment of headache in North Carolina.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of claims data from the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees from 2000 to 2009. Data were extracted from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina for the North Carolina State Health Plan using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, diagnostic codes for headache.
A 42-year-old Hispanic female was referred for investigation of unexplained weight loss. Initial upper endoscopy showed atrophic gastritis. Repeat endoscopy one year later revealed the presence of mixed composite tumor consisting of gastric adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOn a daily basis, pathologists examine the fundamental basis of human diseases using morphologic, immunologic, and molecular techniques. Cystic fibrosis (CF), as a clinically heterogeneous disease, exemplifies the complex challenges of genetic diseases for the pathologist who attempts to explain the mechanisms of disease and provide rationale for clinical management. This review includes an overview of CF and a discussion of pathophysiologic features and practical components of clinical and anatomic pathology, and concludes with a review of molecular diagnostics.
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