Endoscopic multiple biopsy and rapid diagnosis by in situ fixation and histopathologic processing.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic forceps biopsy and fixation are laborious and prolong the procedure and anesthesia. Multiple biopsy overcomes these shortcomings with a single endoscope pass that cuts, like a needle biopsy, up to 25 biopsy samples of uniform size and depth during endoscope withdrawal. Biopsy specimens are collected in acquisition order and stored in a perforated plastic storage chamber within the perforated metal tip. The tip is cut off, immersed in fixative, and sent to pathology. A formatted log identifies each biopsy specimen by site and position. In pathology, the plastic storage cylinder, designed for processing and microtomy with biopsy specimens in situ, supports rapid diagnosis by frozen section and microwave or routine paraffin processing. METHODS: After a 10-patient Institutional Review Board safety study and US Food and Drug Administration registration, biopsies were performed in 57 patients during colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, and ERCP. A blinded retrospective study compared colon surveillance biopsies in 15 patients who underwent multiple biopsy with 15 patients who underwent forceps biopsies performed by anonymous physicians on the same day. Patient information was removed from slides, and forceps biopsies were oriented manually for blinding. RESULTS: Multiple biopsy specimens fixed and processed in situ were not significantly different from batched processed forceps biopsy specimens for depth, orientation, fixation, artifacts, and diagnostic information. Multiple biopsy colonic specimens were significantly (26%) smaller with better epithelial preservation than forceps specimens. Each biopsy saves 61 seconds during withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Single-pass multiple biopsy reduces biopsy time with less specimen damage, work, workplace risk, and soiling. Diagnostic quality is equal to forceps biopsy with better epithelial preservation, although 26% smaller. In pathology, in situ processing and microtomy reduce work and workplace risk. Grossing and manual orientation are unnecessary. Rapid diagnosis by frozen section and microwave or paraffin processing are facilitated. Multiple biopsy speeds diagnosis and improves productivity in endoscopic biopsy and histopathologic processing.

Commode Cardia-Death by Valsalva Maneuver: A Case Series.

The Valsalva maneuver is used in clinical medicine for the diagnosis and/or treatment of various cardiovascular conditions. It can also be used in activities of daily living, such as defecation. Due to the cardiovascular effects produced during the Valsalva maneuver, it may be contraindicated in certain medical conditions and could be a trigger of sudden cardiac death. The incidence and prevalence of death following Valsalva maneuver in the presence of underlying cardiovascular disease, or "commode cardia," has not been examined. In 2012, the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office (Detroit, MI) investigated 21 deaths that occurred on the toilet, fourteen of which were due to cardiovascular disease. In another 31 deaths in the bathroom due to cardiovascular disease, the possibility that the decedent defecated immediately prior to death could not be excluded. Hence, the incidence of commode cardia in this population ranges from 2.3 to 7.4% of all cardiovascular-related deaths.

Fatal Liver Cyst Rupture Due to Anabolic Steroid Use: A Case Presentation.

Liver cysts are commonly found incidentally from imaging scans or at autopsy. These benign neoplasms vary in size and represent a heterogeneous group of disorders, for which the demographics, risk factors, apparent inciting event, clinical presentation, and outcome are varied. Complications that can develop from a liver cyst include development of spontaneous hemorrhage, infection, and/or obstruction. Although the etiology of liver cysts varies, fatal rupture of a hemorrhagic liver cyst due to anabolic steroid use is a rare occurrence. In fact, there are few reported cases in journal literature. We report a case of a fatal liver cyst rupture with resultant hemoperitoneum in the presence of anabolic steroid (stanozolol) use.

Companion Cases in a Large Urban Medical Examiner's Office.

Companion death cases, as defined in this study, include 2 or more deaths that occur at the same location or 1 death at a specific location combined with 1 or more individuals transported from that same location to a hospital where death was pronounced within 1 hour of arrival. These types of cases can have multiple causes and manners of death. The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office conducted a retrospective study of companion death cases that came into the office from mid 2007 to the end of 2014. The purpose of the study was to identify and examine patterns of companion death cases in a large urban area that would assist future companion death case investigations. Three hundred fifty deaths were found to be companion cases, including 135 pairs (2 connected deaths in the same location), 20 trios, and 5 quartets. Approximately 49% of companion case deaths were homicides. Approximately 30% of companion case deaths were traumatic accidental deaths. Around 14% of companion case deaths that were from the same scene location had different manners of death, including suicide, homicide, natural, and indeterminate. The remainder of companion death cases were either drug related or natural. Through this study, we have identified a pattern to these companion death cases and have concluded that it is important to conduct a thorough medicolegal death investigation of such cases to establish and elucidate the true circumstances surrounding these deaths.