The association between underlying conditions, risk factors, risk markers, and post-COVID conditions ≥6 months after COVID-19: A systematic review.

Introduction: While various demographic factors and underlying medical conditions are associated with the development of post-COVID conditions within a month after SARS-CoV-2 infection, less is known about factors associated with post-COVID symptoms that persist for 6 months or more. The aim of this review was to determine the association between underlying conditions, other risk factors, health behaviors, and the presence of symptoms ≥6 months after COVID-19.

Methods: Studies reporting on post-COVID symptoms were searched in databases, including Medline, EMBASE, Global Health, PsycInfo, Scopus, CINAHL, Proquest, and WHO COVID-19 literature, from the beginning of the pandemic until November 2022.

Evaluation of the use of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalised medical patients.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis is effective in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in medical patients.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on medical inpatients at two academic hospitals in Hamilton, Ontario to investigate if patients received VTE prophylaxis as per current guidelines.

Results: An analysis was performed on 762 patient charts and 170 met inclusion criteria for use of pharmacological VTE prophylaxis.

Effectiveness of thin-layer preparations vs. conventional Pap smears in a blinded, split-sample study. Extended cytologic evaluation.

Objective: To further evaluate the effectiveness of the AutoCyte PREP thin-layer slide preparation (TriPath Imaging, Inc., Burlington, North Carolina) as compared to conventional Pap smears.

Study Design: A split-sample, blinded evaluation of matched thin-layer preparations and conventional smears from 2,438 patients was performed.

[Comments on the possibility of the use of the ND-YAG laser in chronic hypertrophic rhinopathy].

Impediment of breath through the nose because of turbinal hypertrophy is an often repeated symptom in chronic rhinitis. In the course of years several procedures for clear the nasal congestion, with more or less satisfactory outcomes, has been tested. The introduction of Nd:Yag laser has allowed a new treatment of the hypertrophic turbinates, thanks to the advantage of its conduction through the flexible optical fibers of the traditional optical devices, even connected to the video system.

The clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural presentation of polyvinyl sponge (Ivalon) breast prostheses removed for massive fluid accumulation.

The current study describes what we believe is the first report of bilateral massive seromas associated with open-cell Ivalon sponges. Additionally, the gross, histologic, and ultrastructural features consistent with previous reports of polyvinyl alcohol prostheses are presented. Despite the reported chemical inertness of polyvinyl alcohol, this material may incite a biologic response in some patients, leading to dense fibrosis and occasional foreign-body giant-cell reaction.

Elemental analysis and clinical implications of calcification deposits associated with silicone breast implants.

Calcification of the fibrous capsule surrounding silicone breast implants is a well-recognized occurrence that increases with time following implantation. These mineralized deposits potentially confound mammographic breast cancer surveillance already made difficult by the obscuring effects of silicone breast implants. The authors performed elemental analysis of silicone breast implant-associated calcifications to define better their chemical composition as related to mammographic and clinical significance.

Morphology and pathogenesis of Liesegang rings in cyst aspirates: report of two cases with ancillary studies.

Liesegang rings are laminated ring-like structures occasionally found in benign cysts and abscesses. They have been confused with parasites (especially eggs), algae, calcifications, and psammoma bodies. We examined Liesegang rings from fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of a benign cyst of the breast and a complex renal cyst.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of a subareolar abscess of the male breast.

We report on the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of a subareolar abscess of the breast in a 45-yr-old man. The patient presented with a 1.5-cm mass in the subareolar region.

Silicone breast implants: pathology.

Questions as to the bioreactivity of silicone breast implants (SBIs) have recently been intensely scrutinized, most notably by the media and legal system. Pathologists must be aware of the controversy and treat each SBI and associated tissue as a potential lawsuit. Grossly, silicone is a clear, viscous substance that may be observed either within or extruding from a silastic bag.

Crystallizing galactocele. A case report.

Background: Galactoceles are benign cystic lesions that generally occur during pregnancy and postpartum lactation. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) yields milky fluid that is often both diagnostic and therapeutic. Cytologically, aspirates are generally noted to contain occasional foam cells and benign epithelium displaying lactational change with an abundant background of lipid micelles and proteinaceous material.

Silicone deposition in reconstruction scars of women with silicone breast implants.

Background: The possible association of silicone breast implants and disease is a subject of continuous debate and concern.

Objective: Our purpose was to examine microscopically and ultrastructurally the periprosthetic fibrous capsules and reconstruction scars of women with silicone breast implants.

Methods: Representative samples from the periprosthetic capsules and reconstruction scars from six women with silicone breast implants were examined by a variety of light microscopy techniques, transmission electron microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis.

Immunolocalization of keratan sulfate, chondroitin-4-sulfate, and chondroitin-6-sulfate in periprosthetic breast capsules exhibiting synovial metaplasia.

The distribution of various proteoglycans and basement membrane components within 10 breast capsules with synovial metaplasia was assessed immunohistochemically. Immunoreactive keratan sulfate and chondroitin-4-sulfate were present in many of the synovial metaplasia lining cells, suggesting active secretion of these proteoglycans into the intraprosthetic space. In contrast, chondroitin-6-sulfate was confined to the extracellular matrix of the underlying supporting fibrous capsule.

Caterpillar bodies of porphyria cutanea tarda ultrastructurally represent a unique arrangement of colloid and basement membrane bodies.

Caterpillar bodies are eosinophilic, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive globules arranged in a linear fashion in the epidermis overlying subepidermal blisters of porphyria cutanea tarda (Am J Dermatopathol 1993;15:199-202). We retrospectively studied by transmission electron microscopy nine cases of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) that demonstrated caterpillar bodies. We identified three components of the eosinophilic bodies: degenerating keratinocytes, colloid bodies, and basement membrane bodies.

Synovial metaplasia of a periprosthetic capsule surrounding a polyurethane foam breast prosthesis.

A 43-year-old woman underwent two-stage bilateral reconstruction mammoplasty using silicone-filled, polyurethane foam-covered breast implants. The permanent implants were later removed. The periprosthetic capsule demonstrated synovial metaplasia by light and electron microscopy.

Electron probe microanalysis of silicon and the role of the macrophage in proximal (capsule) and distant sites in augmentation mammaplasty patients.

Electron probe x-ray microanalysis was used to locate silicon (Si) within macrophages from 12 women who had previously undergone polymer prosthesis augmentation or reconstruction. Silicon was identified within macrophages and extracellularly in all fibrous breast capsules. In four women with arthritic joint pain and one woman with sclerodermatous skin lesions, silicon also was identified within macrophages residing in joint synovium and skin, respectively.

Light microscopy techniques for the demonstration of silicone gel.

Because of the difficulty in identifying silicone gel in histologic and cytologic specimens by means of conventional light microscopy, we investigated alternative light microscopy techniques, as well as specimen staining and preparation. Specimens from six periprosthetic capsules, one silicone granuloma specimen, and one synovial biopsy specimen obtained from women with silicone breast implants were cut at 4-, 10-, 20-, and 30-microns sections, stained with a variety of common stains, and correlated with electron probe microanalysis. In addition, a commercial silicone gel and silicone gel extracted from a previously implanted silicone breast prosthesis were smeared and examined unstained or stained with Papanicolaou and Diff Quik.

Fatal suture embolism to the left anterior descending coronary artery. A case report and review of the literature.

A variety of emboli may be encountered at autopsy. While pulmonary thromboemboli are a relatively common cause of sudden "natural" death, the medical examiner may discover more exotic emboli during the postmortem examination. Other endogenous sources of emboli include the atheromatous debris, bone marrow, fat, liver, brain, trophoblast, and amniotic fluid.

Histological assessment of fifty breast capsules from smooth and textured augmentation and reconstruction mammoplasty prostheses with emphasis on the role of synovial metaplasia.

Fifty breast capsules surrounding smooth and textured breast prostheses were reviewed histologically, immunohistochemically, and ultrastructurally, and findings correlated with patient data. The histology of the capsules varied; although most consisted of a simple fibrocollagenous membrane, some were lined by organized, round to polyhedral cells similar to synovium. Histologically, the lining of the synovial type consisted of epithelioid cells overlying parallel bands of collagen, with basally located nuclei and cytoplasmic processes directed toward the surface and arranged within a well developed reticulin network.

Synovial metaplasia of a periprosthetic breast capsule.

A 48-year-old woman presented for reconstruction mammoplasty 5 years after undergoing a mastectomy for breast carcinoma. She underwent tissue expansion, with subsequent placement of a permanent silicone implant, removal of the permanent implant because of asymmetry, and further tissue expansion for another attempt at permanent silicone implant placement. The periprosthetic breast capsule surrounding the initial permanent implant consisted of a lining intima, subintima, and fibrous capsule consistent with synovium on light microscopy, immunohistochemical studies, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.