Necrotizing amebic colitis in an elder patient: an unexpected autopsy finding.

Necrotizing amebic colitis is an uncommon amebiasis complication associated with high mortality. We present a case of necrotizing amebic colitis in an old patient whose diagnosis was revealed at postmortem examination. An 81-year-old man died at home without medical attention. The postmortem examination revealed ulcers involving the entire colon and intestinal perforation. The ulcers were large, geographic, and necrotizing, extending from the cecum to the rectum. The histological examination disclosed the infectious etiology by showing amebic trophozoites at the base of the ulcers. No extra-intestinal lesions were found. No information about previous episodes of dysentery or travel could be obtained. The potential role of aging or drug-causing immunosuppression and the evolution of chronic and latent intestinal infection to a severe and invasive form of amebiasis is discussed. This case reinforces the value of postmortem examination for diagnosing diseases not clinically identified.

Necrotizing amebic colitis in an elder patient: an unexpected autopsy finding

ABSTRACT Necrotizing amebic colitis is an uncommon amebiasis complication associated with high mortality. We present a case of necrotizing amebic colitis in an old patient whose diagnosis was revealed at postmortem examination. An 81-year-old man died at home without medical attention. The postmortem examination revealed ulcers involving the entire colon and intestinal perforation. The ulcers were large, geographic, and necrotizing, extending from the cecum to the rectum. The histological examination disclosed the infectious etiology by showing amebic trophozoites at the base of the ulcers. No extra-intestinal lesions were found. No information about previous episodes of dysentery or travel could be obtained. The potential role of aging or drug-causing immunosuppression and the evolution of chronic and latent intestinal infection to a severe and invasive form of amebiasis is discussed. This case reinforces the value of postmortem examination for diagnosing diseases not clinically identified.

Advanced Thyroid Follicular Carcinoma in a Pregnant Woman.

The diagnostic and therapeutic approach for pregnant women with thyroid nodules can present a challenge, especially concerning surgical procedures. In the context of malignant diagnosis, by fine needle aspiration (FNA), during pregnancy, the uncertainty lies in performing surgery. This article reports the case of a 41-year-old pregnant woman in her first gestation, who sought medical care complaining of right shoulder pain. Imaging workup depicted the destruction of the humeral head and involvement of the surrounding soft tissue. She was 20 weeks pregnant. The histological report favored the diagnosis of malignancy and the thyroid as the primary site. At 30 weeks of gestation, the patient underwent a cesarean section, a total thyroidectomy, and total resection of the metastasis. The child was born healthy, but one year after the diagnosis, the patient died. Bone and soft tissue metastasis of thyroid neoplasms are not very common and indicate poor prognosis.