Abstract We report the case of a 23-year-old immunocompetent patient who presented at the emergency department of a Brazilian hospital with epigastric pain and fever. After an investigation that included a computed tomography scan and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy, a diagnosis of mucormycosis was established. The patient exhibited favorable progress after surgery and antifungal therapy. Mucormycosis is a rare condition that usually affects immunocompromised patients, with a high mortality rate of up to 85%. Correct diagnosis and fast initiation of therapy are required to ensure improved patient prognosis.

Abstract We present a case of disseminated cutaneous histoplasmosis in a male patient, rural worker, HIV positive for 20 years, with a history of irregular use of antiretroviral therapy, T cell counts below 50 cells/mm3 and with good response to treatment with Itraconazole. We highlight importance of skin lesions in clarifying early diagnosis, since this co-infection often leads patients to death.

Abstract The term "Wolf's isotopic response" describes the occurrence of a new skin disorder at the site of another unrelated and already healed skin disease. In most cases, herpes zoster is the inicial disease. Different disorders may develop on the same site, most commonly granulomatous and lichenoid reactions, infiltration of hematologic diseases, skin tumors and infections. There are few related cases of lichen planus presenting as isotopic response. We report a case of a 74 year-old woman, with multiple itchy, rose-colored and shiny papules that developed at site of previously healed herpes zoster, on the right arm and shoulder. The pathogenesis of this phenomenon is still unknown and further studies are needed.

Homem, 25 anos, com manchas acastanhadas, assintomáticas, nas regiões cervicais, axilares, inguinais e poplíteas há nove meses. Anatomopatológico com degeneração hidrópica da basal, incontinência pigmentar e infiltrado inflamatório linfocitário moderado na derme. O líquen plano pigmentoso invertido é um subtipo raro de líquen plano, caracterizado por máculas hipercrômicas, assintomáticas ou discretamente pruriginosas, de milímetros a centímetros de diâmetro, com limites nítidos, nas áreas intertriginosas, sendo mais comum nas flexuras axilares e inguinais de indivíduos de pele clara. Apresenta histologia liquenóide peculiar. Relata-se um caso com clínica, histologia e evolução típicas.

Twenty-five year old male patient presenting with asymptomatic brown spots, on cervical, axillary, inguinal and popliteal regions, for the last nine months. Pathological examination showed hydropic degeneration of the basal layer, pigmentary incontinence and moderate inflammatory lymphocytic infiltrate in the dermis. Lichen planus pigmentosus inversus is a rare subtype of lichen planus characterized by hyperchromic, asymptomatic or mildly pruritic macules, measuring from millimeters to centimeters in diameter, with defined borders, affecting intertriginous areas, most commonly in the axillae and groin of Caucasian patients. It presents unique lichenoid histology. We report a case with typical clinical features, histology and evolution.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of chronic experimental diabetes on skin allografts in rats as a simple model that could clarify some basic aspects and mechanisms involved in transplant rejection in diabetes compared to normal animals. METHODS: Skin grafting was performed with fragments of tail skin from sex matched non diabetic Wistar rats engrafted onto the thoracic area of diabetic and non diabetic recipients. Grafts were scored for rejection every other day and were removed on day 14. Skin grafts were graded according to the following itens: no rejection; or rejection including: acute, chronic and humoral and/or cellular rejection. Statistical analysis was performed using JMP 5.1 software with ANOVA test. Diabetes was induced with IV injection of alloxan 40 mg/kg. RESULTS: Inflammatory vascular infiltrate compromising the endothelium with areas of fibrinoid necrosis and thrombosis characteristics of acute humoral rejection and subendothelial lymphocyte infiltrate typical of acute cellular rejection were significantly (p<0.003) higher in diabetic than in non diabetic recipients as the inflammatory infiltrate in the epidermis (p<0.002). CONCLUSION: Skin transplant acute rejection from chronic alloxan diabetic rats to normal tissue was significantly more intense than the acute rejection between normal rats.

Relata-se o caso de uma paciente com associação de múltiplos dermatoleiomiomas e miomatose uterina, de longa evolução. Trata-se de doença pouco diagnosticada, conhecida como Síndrome de Reed. Destaca-se a obrigatoriedade e a importância da investigação sistêmica, em busca de neoplasia renal, que se relaciona com a síndrome

Report on the case of a patient with a combination of multiple uterine and dermatoleiomiomas and uterine miomatosis of long evolution. It is a rarely diagnosed disease known as Reed's syndrome. The study highlights the requirement for, and importance of, systemic investigation for kidney cancer, which is related to the syndrome

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis of unknown etiopathogenesis, is a self-limited disease which frequently appears as feverish lymphadenomegaly, thus creating the need for differential diagnosis with lymphoma, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), infectious mononucleosis, cat-scratch disease, and toxoplasmosis with lymphonodal impairment. However, there are cases in which it may evolve with complications such as aseptic meningitis, cerebellar ataxia, and aseptic myocarditis. We are presenting a case of a 24-year-old man who had an initial picture of arthralgia, evening fever and adenomegaly. Kikuchi disease was diagnosed through lymph node biopsy with immunohistochemistry and evolves with severe systemic manifestations, such as pericarditis with cardiac tamponade, pneumonitis, hepatitis, and acute kidney failure - the latter has not been reported in literature yet. There was significant improvement of the clinical picture with prednisone

Escleredema de Buschke (EB) é doença rara de tecido conjuntivo, caracterizada por endurecimento não depressível da pele. De etiologia desconhecida, pode estar associada com infecções bacterianas ou virais, alterações hematológicas e diabetes melito (DM). Em metade dos casos publicados de EB, há associação com DM. As características mais comuns nesses pacientes são: adultos do sexo masculino, DM de longa duração, mal controle metabólico e presença de complicações específicas do DM. O exame histopatológico revela aumento da espessura da derme, com fibras de colágeno alargadas e separadas por espaços não corados, os quais cor-respondem a depósitos de mucopolissacarídeos. Consequências clínicas incluem: diminuição da motilidade dos ombros e comprometimento da função respiratória. Diversos tratamentos são propostos na literatura, porém com resultados inconstantes. Relata-se caso de EB em paciente diabético tipo 2.

Scleredema of Buschke (SB) is a rare disorder of connective tissue, characterized by hardening of the skin. Of unknown etiology, it may be associated with viral or bacterial infections, hematological alterations and diabetes mellitus (DM). In half of the reported cases of SB, there is association with DM. The most common characteristics among these patients are: being male adults, having long-term DM, bad metabolic control and presence of specific complications of DM. The histopathological examination shows dermal thickening, with widened collagen fibers separated by non-colored spots, which correspond to mucopolysaccharides deposits. The clinical consequences are: decrease in motility of the shoulders and an impairment of respiratory function. Several treatments are suggested in the literature, but with inconstant results. A case of SB is reported in a type 2 diabetes patient.

O transplante renal alcançou expressivos e crescentes índices de sucesso desde sua implantação, constituindo atualmente uma terapia substitutiva de larga escala. É cada vez mais freqüente o encontro de biópsias de enxerto renal na rotina dos laboratórios de patologia, cujos achados são os mais variados. Este artigo resulta da experiência dos membros do Clube do Rim (da Sociedade Brasileira de Patologia) e apresenta um panorama geral da patologia do transplante renal, enfatizando a atual classificação de Banff, com suas principais categorias e entidades de diagnóstico problemático.

Renal transplant has reached remarkable and growing rates of success since its introduction; nowadays it is a widely used replacement therapy. Renal allograft biopsies are increasingly more frequent in the routine of pathology laboratories, whose histological findings are varied. This paper results from the expertise of the members of the Kidney Club of Sociedade Brasileira de Patologia, and presents a general overview of renal allograft pathology, focusing on the current Banff classification, its main categories and cases of difficult diagnosis.

A amiloidose é uma doença rara causada pelo depósito patológico de substância amilóide no meio extracelular. Relatamos o caso de um paciente de 50 anos de idade, masculino, com história de edema de lábios e língua associado à equimose periorbitária bilateral há 6 meses. Ao exame físico, observamos importante macroglossia. Foram realizados exames complementares, e o diagnóstico foi confirmado pela análise histopatológica da biópsia de língua. O paciente recebeu tratamento com prednisona e melfalan com resposta insatisfatória. Evoluiu com insuficiência cardíaca congestiva e infecções urinárias e respiratórias de repetição. Após 7 meses do diagnóstico, o paciente foi internado com infecção pulmonar complicada com sepse e evoluiu a óbito.

Amyloidosis is a rare disease caused by pathological deposit of an amyloid extracellular proteinaceus material. We report a case of a 50-year-old man with history of lips and tongue swelling associated to periorbital ecchimosys for 6 months. At the physical examination an important macroglossia was observed. Complementary tests were accomplished, and the pathological examination of the tongue biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated with prednisone and melphalan with an unsatisfactory response. Along the follow up the patient developed heart failure, and died 7 months after diagnosis of pulmonary infection and sepsis.

CONTEXTO: A microscopia eletrônica tem sido usada há mais de três décadas para o diagnóstico morfológico das doenças glomerulares e seu valor tem sido amplamente enfatizado. Entretanto, relatos recentes têm analisado criticamente o uso rotineiro da microscopia eletrônica. O seu uso em outras áreas de diagnóstico como doenças tumorais tem declinado consideravelmente. Além disso, em virtude da inevitável pressão financeira para redução dos custos da investigação na rotina diagnóstica, a seleção dos casos para microscopia eletrônica tem sido rigorosa. OBJETIVO: Com o intuito de se identificarem as doenças glomerulares que dependem da microscopia eletrônica para o diagnóstico final, foram revisadas biópsias renais recebidas no período de 12 anos. TIPO DE ESTUDO: Prospectivo LOCAL: Hospital Ana Costa, Hospital Guilherme Álvaro e Serviço de Anatomia Patológica de Santos, São Paulo, Brasil. PARTICIPANTES: 200 biópsias renais consecutivas, obtidas de hospital privado e hospital-escola de 1979 a 1991. PRINCIPAIS VARIÁVEIS: Todos os casos foram analisados por microscopia óptica, imunofluorescência e microscopia eletrônica. O diagnóstico foi inicialmente feito por microscopia óptica e de imunofluorescência, e posteriormente pela microscopia eletrônica. RESULTADOS: A microscopia eletrônica foi diagnóstica ou essencial para o diagnóstico em 10,0% dos casos, correspondendo a 3,4% de glomerulopatias primárias e 100% das glomerulopatias hereditárias. A microscopia eletrônica foi contributiva para o diagnóstico em 5,5% dos casos, confirmando os diagnósticos formulados com base em dados clínicos e laboratoriais, e achados de microscopia óptica e de imunofluorescência. Obtivemos 7,5% de imunofluorescências discordantes, assim consideradas quando os achados de imunofluorescência não foram confirmados pela microscopia eletrônica. Em 77,0% dos casos, o diagnóstico final pôde ser estabelecido exclusivamente com base nos achados de microscopia óptica e de imunofluorescência. CONCLUSÕES: Foi possível diagnosticar com exatidão grande porcentagem (82,5 - 90,0%) dos casos com base nos achados isolados de microscopia óptica e de imunofluorescência. A microscopia eletrônica foi essencial para o diagnóstico das nefropatias hereditárias.

CONTEXT: Electron microscopy has been used for the morphological diagnosis of glomerular diseases for more than three decades and its value has been widely emphasized. However, recent reports have analyzed the routine use of electron microscopy critically. Its use in other areas of diagnosis such as tumor diseases has declined considerably; in addition, in view of the unavoidable financial pressure for the reduction of costs due to investigations and diagnostic routines, the selection of cases for electron microscopy has been quite rigorous. OBJECTIVE: To identify the glomerular diseases that depend on electron microscopy for a final diagnosis, by means of reviewing renal biopsies performed over a 12-year period. DESIGN: Prospective SETTING: Hospital Ana Costa, Hospital Guilherme Álvaro and Serviço de Anatomia Patológica de Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: 200 consecutive renal biopsies obtained from private hospitals and the teaching hospital from 1979 to 1991 were studied. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: All cases were analyzed via light microscopy, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. The diagnosis was first made via light microscopy plus immunofluorescence and then via electron microscopy. RESULTS: Electron microscopy was diagnostic or essential for diagnosis in 10.0% of the cases, corresponding to 3.4% of primary glomerulopathies and 100% of hereditary glomerulopathies. Electron microscopy was contributory (useful) to the diagnosis in 5.5% of the cases, confirming the preliminary diagnosis formulated on the basis of clinical and laboratory data and light microscopy plus immunofluorescence findings. We obtained a 7.5% rate of discordant immunofluorescence, which was considered as such when negative immunofluorescence findings were not confirmed by electron microscopy. The final diagnosis with the use of light microscopy plus immunofluorescence alone was 77.0%. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to diagnose with certainty a great percentage of glomerulopathies (82.5-90% of the cases) based on the light microscopy and immunofluorescence findings alone. Electron microscopy was essential for the diagnosis of hereditary nephropathies.

Os autores relatam caso de lúpus eritematoso cutâneo subagudo (LECSA) manifestado clinicamente como eritema anular centrífugo. Ressaltam a diferenciação clínica e laboratorial entre LECSA e lúpus eritematoso sistêmico. Também discutem a conduta terapêutica.

The authors describe a case of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) manifested clinically as a case of annular erythema centrifugum. The clinical and laboratorial differentiation of SCLE from systemic lupus erythematosus is emphasized, and the best therapeutic conduct is indicated.

Com o passar da idade, ocorrem progressivamente ossificação e formação de medula óssea nas cartilagens laríngeas. O conhecimento dessas modificações é importante para a diferenciação com invasão por câncer. OBJETIVO: Avaliar comparativamente as porções cranial e caudal da cartilagem tireóidea quanto a alterações histológicas em indivíduos adultos do sexo masculino, observando a ossificação e a formação de medula óssea. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Experimental. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram estudadas 7 laringes obtidas de cadáveres do sexo masculino submetidos a exame necrológico no Posto Médico-Legal de Santos, da Polícia Civil do Estado de São Paulo. A idade variou de 39 a 60 anos, com mediana de 53. Não se teve acesso à informação de hábito de tabagismo e etilismo. Os espécimes foram descalcificados e corados pela hematoxilina-eosina. A ossificação foi estudada pelo método histométrico baseado na estereologia e a presença de medula óssea foi realizada de forma qualitativa (presença ou ausência). RESULTADOS: Nos segmentos craniais, notamos uma média de 42,8% de ossificação e a presença de medula óssea em 57,1%. Nos segmentos caudais, a média de ossificação foi de 72,8%, com medula óssea em 87,5%. CONCLUSÃO: A ossificação da cartilagem tireóidea e a formação de medula óssea são mais intensas e precoces na sua topografia cranial.

The process of ossification and formation of bone marrow occurs in the larynx cartilages with age. The knowledge of this change is important for differentiation with cartilage invasion by cancer. AIM: Cranial and caudal segments of the thyroid cartilage were obtained from adult male larynges in order to evaluate comparatively the histological changes regarding to the ossification and the bone marrow formation. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seven male adult larynges were obtained from cadavers underwent necrological examination in Posto Médico-Legal de Santos, da Polícia Civil do Estado de São Paulo. The ages ranged from 39 to 60, with median of 53. There were no available data about tobacco and alcohol consumption. The specimens underwent decalcification and stained with H-E. Histometry was performed for quantitative analysis of the ossification while the bone marrow was analyzed according to qualitative criteria (presence or absence). RESULTS: The average ossification was 42.8% and the bone marrow presence was observed in 57.1% in the cranial segments. In the caudal segments, the average ossification was 72.8%, and the bone marrow was detected in 87.5% of the specimens. CONCLUSION: The ossification in the thyroid cartilage and the bone marrow formation increase and occur earlier moving downward from the cranial to the caudal aspects.