Computed Tomography Histopathology Research Articles

A spectrum of findings on computed tomography in paediatric abdominal and pelvic tumours in a Ghanaian teaching hospital.

To review the Computed Tomography( CT )features of pediatric oncological patients with abdominal and pelvic tumours and correlate these findings with their histopathological diagnosis. This was a retrospective cross-sectional facility-based study. This study was conducted in the Pediatric Oncology Unit and Radiology Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Fifty-six pediatric oncology patients with contrast-enhanced abdominal and pelvic CT scans. The abdominal and pelvic CT scans findings, patient biodata, and histopathology reports of oncology patients over four years were reviewed. Simple descriptive statistics using frequency distribution, percentages, means, and standard deviation were used to describe the various variables and presented tables. The four commonest tumours were nephroblastoma, neuroblastoma, lymphoma, and hepatoblastoma. The mean age at diagnosis was 4.8 years, with a slightly higher male predominance. The majority of the tumours were extremely large at presentation. Overall, the CT - histopathology concordance was 79.2%. Abdominal and pelvic CT scans play an important role in the diagnostic workup of pediatric malignancies by ensuring early and accurate diagnosis of these tumours. None declared.

Repository corticotropin injection attenuates collagen-induced arthritic joint structural damage and has enhanced effects in combination with etanercept

BackgroundMelanocortin receptor (MCR) agonists have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties mediated by receptors expressed on cells relevant to arthritis. Repository corticotropin injection (RCI; Acthar® Gel), an MCR agonist preparation, is approved as adjunctive therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but its mechanism of action in RA is unclear. This study explored the efficacy of RCI as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy with etanercept (ETN) in an established animal model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).MethodsAfter induction of CIA, rats (n = 10 per group) were randomized to receive subcutaneous RCI (40, 160, or 400 U/kg twice daily) alone or in combination with ETN (10 mg/kg 3 times daily), ETN alone, or vehicle (on days 13 through 19). Inflammation was assessed via changes in paw edema. Bone damage was determined by microfocal computed tomography histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Statistical analyses were performed using a 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Newman-Keuls, Dunn’s, or Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test or a 1-way ANOVA followed by the Dunnett’s or Holm-Sidak multiple comparisons test.ResultsRCI administration resulted in dose-dependent decreases in ankle edema and histopathologic measures of inflammation, pannus formation, cartilage damage, bone resorption, and periosteal bone formation. RCI and ETN showed combined benefits on all parameters measured. Radiographic evidence of bone damage was significantly reduced in rats that received RCI alone or in combination with ETN. This reduction in bone density loss correlated with decreases in the number of CD68-positive macrophages and cathepsin K–positive osteoclasts within the lesions.ConclusionsAs monotherapy or adjunctive therapy with ETN, RCI attenuated CIA-induced joint structural damage in rats. These data support the clinical efficacy of RCI as adjunctive therapy for patients with RA.