[Similarities in morphologic changes in heart valves in acquired heart defects of noninflammatory etiology and in damaged menisci without a history of trauma]

Histologic, histochemical and ultrastructural analyses were performed of the leaflets of all four heart valves in 50 subjects with acquired heart defects of noninflammatory etiology and 88 surgically removed damaged menisci without trauma anamnesis. On the basis of the detailed analysis some morphologic similarities were found in the heart valves and menisci such as myxomatous degeneration as the main pathologic lesion, lack of blood vessels in the altered tissues which point to noninflammatory nature of the lesion, similarity in nourishment by diffusion, degradation of the collagenous fibres which present the main histologic structure and the increased accumulation of acid mucopolysacharrides at the site of their degradation as well as the increased number of fibroblasts, that is, chondroid cells which are considered to excrete acid mucopolysacharrides. Sometimes these changes are hardly identify clinically, especially in meniscal diseases which could simulate rheumatic disease.

[Tuberculous inflammation of the synovial membrane]

Four patients with tuberculous synovitis of the large joints are reported in whom primary tuberculous process has not been confirmed as a possible foci of spreading of the acidoresistant bacilli. The authors, describing in details the histologic picture of tuberculous synovitis, point out the importance of an early biopsy of the synovial membrane and obligatory microbiological confirmation of the established diagnosis.

[Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland]

The authors have analysed 9 cases of Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma diagnosed on the bioptic material in the period 1975-1991. In 7 patients subtotal and in 2 total thyroidectomy was performed. In one patient only signs of metastases of the tumour in the region of the mediastinum, neck lymphatic nodes and brain developed and the patient died a year after surgery. For differential diagnosis of Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma and Hürthle cell adenoma the authors recommend as necessary that beside the presence of the basic criteria for malignancy (infiltration of the capsule and adjacent tissue, invasion of the blood vessels, pleomorphism and pathologic mytoses) the electron microscopic examination and immunohistochemical methods should be also used which could be of a great help for establishment of a correct diagnosis on which depends further therapy as well.

[Morphologic changes in the valves in acquired heart defects]

The histologic, histochemical and ultrastructural changes of the leaflet tissue of all four cardiac valves obtained by biopsy and autopsy have been studied in 50 patients with acquired valvular defects. The anamnesis confirmed the presence of rheumatic fever in 16 patients and negated it in 34 patients. In all analysed leaflets of all four cardiac valves organic changes were found which were the cause of their dysfunction. The analysis has shown that rheumatic fever does not play a dominant role in development of acquired valvular disease as it has been thought previously. However, degenerative changes were most commonly found being of unknown etiology up to now. The morphological changes of valvular tissue in the patients suffering from rheumatic fever differ from those who did not suffer from it. Vascularization, fibrosis and hyalinization of the connective tissue with fibroelastic densities predominated in patients suffering from rheumatic fever while myxomatous degeneration of valvular tissue predominated in those who did not suffer from it. Different morphological parameters indicate the different etiopathogenesis of these diseases.

[Intraosseous schwannoma]

Neurogenic tumors, primary bone tumors, are rather exceptional; about 50 cases have been reported so far. The study reports a case of intraosseous schwannoma, a primary bone tumor, in a 20-year-old male patient, localized in the distal end of the right tibia.

[Morphologic damage in internal organs in miners caused by explosions of methane gas in mines]

Four cases of blast injuries in miners caused by methane explosion in the mine are described. In all cases besides burns, changes in tissues and organs, according to their microscopic and macroscopic characteristics, corresponded to blast type injuries described in the literature.

[Morphologic changes in the tissues and organs of sheep in blast injuries caused by detonation of aerosol explosives]

The morphologic changes of the tissues and organs of sheep caused by effects of the overpressure wave due to the detonation of the aerosol explosive in the open air are analysed. The experiments were performed on 21 sheep of which 3 served as the control. All animals were autopsized and organ samples were taken for analysis. The most impressive pathologic changes were found in the upper respiratory ways and lungs in the form of massive haemorrhage, edema and emphysema as well as numerous and severe intraabdominal changes both of the air-containing and parenchymatous organs.

[Morphologic characteristics of persons killed in armored vehicles]

The authors have analysed macroscopic and microscopic changes in tissues and organs of 8 members of the Y.P.A. killed by granate explosion in the armoured vehicles. In all the analysed cases multiple mechanic injuries were found as well as combined mechanothermal injuries. Injuries caused by the blast wave were mainly found in the internal air-containing organs and three cases of solid blast injury were described too.

[Pathophysiologic reactions in sheep to blast waves from detonation of aerosol explosives]

In the controlled field experiments 18 sheep were exposed to the detonation of the aerosol explosive generating the blast wave necessary to produce death in 50% of cases. The time of death and characteristic damages on the predilection sites of some organs are interpreted as blast type injuries. General response of the body to blast wave was similar to the one produced by other etiological factors. A special characteristic of the experiment was the frequency and severity of pathologic changes on the internal organs of the chest and abdomen. According to the authors' opinion the severity and type of pathologic changes could be explained by effects of the complex blast wave generated by detonation of the aerosol explosives.

[Morphologic characteristics of surgically removed menisci]

The authors have analysed histologically and histochemically 88 surgically removed damaged menisci of which 8 were studied by the electron microscope. Of the total number of the analysed cases only 20 had the anamnesis specific for meniscus trauma while in the rest meniscus was damaged spontaneously. The age of the operated patients ranged from 16 to 50 years, the majority being from 20 to 25 years old. The authors have reported that the morphological examinations of the damaged menisci have shown that the main cause of the ruptured menisci was destruction of the collagenous fibres of the menisci and severe mucoid degeneration of their tissues with the increasing number of the elastic fibres at the site of the destructed collagenous fibres. The histochemical examinations have shown that the basic meniscus substance contains chodroitin sulfate mucopolysaccharides which, according to their opinion, were secreted by the choindroid cells.