Unexpected findings and misdiagnoses in coroner's autopsies performed for trauma at the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.

There has been significant improvement in medical diagnostic technology, but discrepancy rates between clinical and postmortem diagnoses remain relatively high. This study aimed to identify misdiagnoses and missed (unexpected) findings documented during complete coroner's autopsies performed for trauma at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and evaluate their influence on patient outcome. We retrospectively reviewed the reports of all coroner's autopsies performed for trauma, between 2003 and 2012, at the UWI. For each case, we extracted age, gender, trauma type, mechanism and topography, clinical and postmortem diagnoses and hospitalization duration. The data were used to calculate frequencies, proportions and discrepancy rates. 955 coroner's autopsies were performed during the 10-year period; reports were available for 933. 396 of these were performed for trauma; 365 met the inclusion criteria. 260 (71.2%) of the 365 autopsies had at least one discrepancy. There were 746 clinical and 1118 autopsy diagnoses; 382 were discrepant (372 missed [unexpected] diagnoses, 6 mis-diagnoses and 4 over-diagnoses). The discrepancy rate (misdiagnoses and missed diagnoses) was 33.8%, and the majority (55%) occurred in patients hospitalized for <1 day. Cardiopulmonary diseases were the most commonly missed diagnoses. The discrepancy rate was intermediate to those previously reported in the literature. The short hospitalization duration in most patients suggests that limited time for clinical investigation may be a contributor to discrepancy. However, increased awareness among clinicians of the common major missed diagnoses should enhance their early diagnosis, even when clinical signs are subtle, hopefully producing improved patient outcome.

Fatal poisoning in Jamaica: a coroner's autopsy study from the University Hospital of the West Indies.

This study reviewed cases of fatal poisoning in a coroner's autopsy series at the University Hospital of the West Indies and represented the first such study reported from Jamaica. The autopsy protocols of all coroner's autopsies performed over the 20-year period January 1980 to December 1999 were reviewed retrospectively; 22 (1.0%) cases were identified and relevant clinical and pathological data analysed. There were 13 males and nine females (M:F ratio 1.4:1) with an age range of 2 - 69 years (mean +/- SD = 27 +/- 16.1 years). The 20 - 29 year group was most commonly affected and five patients (22.7%) were children (< 18 years of age). Pesticides (herbicides/ insecticides) were implicated in nine (41%) cases: paraquat was the most common, found in six (27%) cases. Prescription drugs were the next most prevalent group with six (27%) cases, followed by anti-psychotic drugs in four (18%) cases. Cocaine and ackee were each implicated in two (9%) cases. The manner of death was suicidal in 14 (64%) cases and accidental in eight (36%) cases. Seven patients had documented psychiatric illnesses, six of whom committed suicide. Autopsy findings were largely non-specific. The relatively small number of cases was consistent with the low incidence of fatal poisoning in Jamaica.

Androgen and vitamin D receptor expression in archival human breast tumors.

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken for quantitation of androgen (AR) and vitamin D (VDR) receptor expression in human male and female breast tumors by flow cytometry. METHODS: Nuclei isolated from sections of paraffin-embedded tumors by pepsin digestion were treated for antigen unmasking and incubated with antibodies to AR and VDR. Flow cytometric analysis was used to determine the percentage of receptor-positive nuclei with fluorescence greater than 95% of the isotype nuclei. Mean log fluorescence channel values were used for comparing antigen density of the isotype and the antibody-treated nuclei. RESULTS: Six of 23 female breast tumors had aneuploid DNA content. Nineteen of 20 estrogen receptor-positive female tumors by immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) were also AR positive by flow analysis. Aneuploid subpopulations had higher percentages of AR-positive nuclei than did diploid populations. Eight of 33 male breast tumors had aneuploid DNA content. Twenty-three of 33 male breast tumors were AR positive by flow analysis compared with six that were AR positive by IHC. Six AR-positive (IHC) male tumors were also AR positive by flow analysis. VDR expression was higher in diploid female tumors than in aneuploid tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of a strong correlation between IHC and flow analysis may be due to differences in criteria used for identification of receptor-positive and -negative tumors by the two methods.

Traumatic deaths in Jamaica: a coroner's (medico-legal) autopsy study from the University Hospital of the West Indies.

This study reviewed the trauma-related deaths in a coroner's (medico-legal) autopsy series at the University Hospital of the West Indies and represents only the second such study reported from Jamaica. The autopsy protocols of all coroner's autopsies performed during the 15-year period January 1, 1983 to December 31, 1997 were reviewed retrospectively, and the clinico-pathological characteristics of trauma-related deaths were analysed. Trauma accounted for 470 (28.7%) of the 1,640 coroner's autopsies and the causes of death in descending order of frequency were motor vehicle accidents [MVAs] (44.9%), blunt injuries (17.7%), burns (16.8%), firearm injuries (13.6%) and stab injuries (7.0%). The 21-30 age group was the most commonly affected and the overall male: female ratio was 4:1. The distribution of injuries (excluding burns) by anatomical region was head and neck (43.8%), chest (8.9%), abdomen and pelvis (4.3%), extremities (0.9%) and multiple sites (25.3%). Forty-nine (23.2%) of the victims of MVAs were documented to have been pedestrians. Blunt trauma was most commonly due to accidental falls followed by assaults. Flame burns accounted for 90% of burn cases. There were seven (1.5%) cases of suicide overall. In this series the majority of trauma-related deaths occurred in young males and were due to MVAs. Strategies aimed at reducing trauma-related mortality should therefore emphasize road traffic safety programmes, particularly targeting the young.

Clear cell carcinoma of the breast with immunohistochemical evidence of divergent differentiation.

Primary clear cell carcinoma of the breast is a rare tumor. The clear cell morphology of the neoplastic population in these tumors has been ascribed to the presence of intracellular lipid, mucin or glycogen, or to myoepithelial, apocrine, or neuroendocrine differentiation. However, a clear cell neoplasm exhibiting evidence of a range of differentiation has not been previously reported. We describe a case of a glycogen-rich primary clear cell breast carcinoma occurring in a 59-year-old woman that showed positivity for apocrine and neuroendocrine markers, as well as possible myoepithelial differentiation. The tumor was a 4-cm mass composed predominantly of periodic acid-Schiff-positive clear cells arranged in a solid, infiltrative pattern. Immunohistochemical staining of the tumor cells was variably positive for cytokeratin, progesterone receptors, gross cystic disease fluid protein-15, neuron specific enolase, chromogranin, and S-100 protein and negative for estrogen receptors, smooth muscle actin, CD31, and CD34. The patient refused any form of further investigation or treatment, but shows no evidence of recurrence or metastatic disease after 18 months of follow-up.

Abnormal Papanicolaou (PAP) smears at UWI, 1997-1999 [abstract]

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to document the distribution of epithelial abnormalities diagnosed on Pap smears in the Department of Pathology, the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Jamaica, and to determine the likelihood of the prescence of clinically significant disease on biopsy for a given cytological diagnosis. METHODS: We reviewed the results of all Pap smears accessioned in the Cytology Unit of the Department of Pathology, over the 3-year period 1997-1999 and collated the epithelial abnormalities using a hybrid cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)/Bethesda system. We calculated the atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) rate, the CIN rate and the ASCUS/CIN ratio. Follow-up histology results were obtained from the departmental files. The likelihood ratios (LRs for clinically significant disease on histology for each cytological category were calculated. RESULTS: During the study period a total of 21,144 Pap smears were accessioned, 1,324 (6.3 percent) of which showed epithelial abnormalities. These abnormal Pap smears were most prevalent in the 21-30 year age group (37.5 percent of patients). The distribution of epithelial abnormalities was: ASCUS 34.7 percent, atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) 1.1 percent, ASCUS/AGUS 0.2 percent, CIN 141.4 percent, CIN II 12.5 percent, CIN III 8.3 percent, sqaumous cell carcinoma (SCC) 1.3 percent, adenocarcinoma (AC) 0.3 percent and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) II/III 0.2 percent. The CIN rate, ASCUS rate and ASUCS/CIN ratio were 3.9 percent, 2.2 percent and 0.6 respectively. Histological follow-up was available for 477 (36 percent) cases. The LRs for clinically significant disease for the following cytological diagnoses were: AGUS: 0.08, ASCUS: 0.31, CIN I: 1.12, CIN II: 2.01 and CIN III: 3.38. All cases of SCC, AC and VAIN with histological follow-up were shown to be clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS: There was a relatively low incidence of epithelial abnormalities in Pap smears seen at the UWI during the study period with ASCUS and CIN 1 compromising the majority of cases. Biopsy follow-up showed an increasing likelihood for the presence of clinically significnat disease with increasing degrees of epithelial atypia on Pap smear. (AU)

Vaginitis emphysematosa associated with an abnormal Pap smear

Vaginitis emphysematosa is an uncommon inflammatory condition that is aetiologically linked to trichomonal or gardenerella infection, and has been associated with immunosuppressive disorders. The disease does not have deleterious sequelae and resolves on treating the underlying infection. We describe a case in which the disease predominantly affected the cervix to an abnormal pap smear and colposcopic investigation. (AU)

Severe pulmonary barotrauma

Pulmonary barotrauma is a well-known but rarely seen complication of mechanical intermittent positive pressure ventilation. It is thought to be related to raised pressures within alveoli which lead to their eventual rupture and the subsequent development of respiratory embarrassment. Mishaps related to faulty one-way valves in the self-inflating, bag-ventilation devices commonly used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can, although rarely, lead to severe barotrauma. In this report, we describe a case of pulmonary barotrauma that appeared to be related to the "locking" of the "Ambu" bag's one-way valve in the inspiratory position during routine CPR.(Au)

The use of the rapid papanicolaou staining method in fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast at the University Hospital of the West Indies

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the efficacy of the rapid Papanicolaou staining method (RPSM) in fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of breast lesions. METHODS: In a prospective study performed between May 1999 and June 2000, FNA specimens were obtained from patients attending the surgical out-patient and breast imaging services of the UHWI for the assessment of breast leisons. One-half of the slides from each specimen were stained by the RPSM, which reduces routine staining time by 80 percent (rapPaps), and the other half stained by the routine Papanicolaou method (routPaps). Specimens that were inadequate based on rapid assessment were immediately repeated. For each group of slides the smear quality, cytologic diagnoses and results of any related biopsy specimens were documented. The concordance between the cytology diagnoses and between the cytologic and histologic diagnoses was determined. RESULTS: One hundred specimens were obtained from 90 patients (M:F = 1:8; average age 42.3 years). RapPaps averaged 2.9 slides per case and routPaps 3.4; 71 percent and 77 percent of rapPaps and routPaps, respectively, had adequate cellular material, and 84 percent and 85 percent of these groups, respectively, displayed satisfactory cellular preservation. There was 83 percent, 52 percent and 56 percent concordance between rapid and routine cytologic diagnoses, rapid and histologic diagnoses, and routine and histology diagnoses, respectively. Non-concordance was due to lack of cellular material in 14/17 (82 percent), 12/23 (52 percent) and 10/21 (48 percent) cases, respectively. Of the remainder, 6 cases represented major diagnostic discrepancies in which atypical cytologic smears were confirmed to be benign lesions on histology. CONCLUSION: These findings show that staining FNA specimens by the rapid Papanicolaou method allows for accurate cytology evaluation of breast leisons at UHWI. The handling of cytologic specimens by this method can be an important cost- and time- saving strategy in the management of patients presenting to the out-patient services. (Au)

Testicular metastases from carcinoma of the prostate

Secondary testicular tumours are uncommon and most originate from prostatic carcinoma. A retrospective study of the clinico-pathological features of prostatic carcinoma metastatic to the testes was conducted in the Department of Pathology, University of the West Indies, Jamaica, for the period June 1958 to January 1998. Metastatic prostatic carcinoma was seen in 1.4 percent of the 284 orchiectomy specimens examined. A brief review of the literature related to this entity was undertaken.(AU)

Adeno-associated virus and development of cervical neoplasia

Evidence from several sources has suggested that adeno-associated virus (AAV) infection might protect against cervical cancer, in part, by interfering with human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced tumorigenesis. Detection of AAV type 2 (AAV-2) DNA in cervical tissues has been reported. However, there have been few in vivo studies of women with cervical HPV infection or neoplasia, and these have reported inconsistent results. Therefore, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeted to the AAV-2 rep and cap genes to test tissue specimens from women in an epidemiological study of cervical neoplasia in Jamaica. We tested 105 women with low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN-1), 92 women with CIN-3/carcinoma in situ or invasive cancer (CIN-3/CA), and 94 normal subjects. PCR amplification of human beta-globin DNA was found in almost all cervical specimens, indicating that these materials were adequate for PCR testing. The prevalence of HPV DNA, determined by HPV L1 consensus primer PCR was, as expected, strongly associated with presence and grade of neoplasia. Each of the AAV PCR assays detected as few as 10 copies of the virus genome. However, none of the 291 cervical specimens from Jamaican subjects tested positive for AAV DNA. Negative AAV PCR results were also obtained in tests of cervical samples from 79 university students in the United States. Exposure to AAV was assessed further by serology. Using a whole virus AAV-2 sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we found no relationship between AAV antibodies and presence or grade of neoplasia in either the Jamaican study subjects or women enrolled in a U.S. cervical cancer case (n = 74) - control (n = 77) study. Overall, the data provide no evidence that AAV infection plays a role in cervical tumorigenesis or that AAV commonly infects cervical epithelial cells.(Au)

HDV 16 antibody prevalence in Jamaica and the United States reflects differences in cervical cancer rates

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is widely accepted as the primary etiologic agent in the development of cervical cancer. DNA of a particular HPV type, HPV 16, is found in about half of tumors tested. Inconsistent with this causal relationship, however, population-based studies of HPV DNA prevalence have often failed to find high rates of anogenital HPV infection in countries with high cervical cancer rates. To examine this issue, we used serology to compare HPV 16 exposure in healthy volunteer blood donors in the United States (n = 278) and similar subjects from a country with 3-fold higher cervical cancer rates, Jamaica (n = 257). Jamaican sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients (n = 831) were also studied to examine in detail the relation of HPV 16 antibodies with sexual history. Serology was conducted using an ELISA employing HPV 16 virus-like particles (VLPs). Age-adjusted seroprevalence rates were greatest among male (29 percent) and female (42 percent) STD patients, intermediate in male (19 percent) and female (24 percent) Jamaican blood donors and lowest among male (3 percent) and female (12 percent) U.S. blood donors. The higher seroprevalence in women was significant, and prevalence tended to increase with age. In multivariate logistic regression, controlling for age and gender, Jamaican blood donors were 4.2-fold (95 percent CI 2.4 - 7.2) and STD patients 8.1-fold (95 percent CI 5.0 - 13.2) more likely to have HPV 16 VLP antibodies than U.S. blood donors. Among STD patients, HPV 16 antibodies were associated with lifetime number of sex partners and years of sexual activity, as well as other factors. Our data suggest that HPV 16 VLP antibodies are strongly associated with sexual behavior. Moreover, exposure to HPV 16 appears to be much greater in Jamaica than in the United States, consistent with the high rate of cervical cancer in Jamaica (Au)

Type-specific prevalence of human papillomavirus DNA among Jamaican colposcopy patients

Human papillomavirus (HPV) types differ in their associations with cervical cancer. Therefore, the types of HPV in precancerous lesions are important. In many regions with high cancer incidence, the HPV types in precancerous lesions have not been well studied. In Jamaica, a country that has high cervical cancer incidence, 174 colposcopy patients were tested for HPV DNA using polymerase chain reaction. HPV DNA detection was strongly related to presence and grade of cervical neoplasia (P<.001). Furthermore, severe neoplastic change was most highly associated with HPV DNA types also considered high-risk for severe neoplassia in other populations. HPV-45 DNA, a high-risk type uncommon in most previously tested countries, was detected in 12 percent of patients who had neoplasia. Thus, cervical neoplasia in Jamaica, as elsewhere, is linked to HPV. The high prevalence of HPV-45 DNA was notable, and its relation to high cervical cancer incidence in Jamaica must be assessed. (AU)

Sertoliform variant of endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary

Although endometrioid carcinoma constitutes the second most common type of primary ovarian adenocarcinoma, the sertoliform variant is rarely encountered. We describe a case of this rare ovarian carcinoma which mimics a Sertoli cell tumour in its pathological appearance

Sertoliform variant of endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary

Although endometrioid carcinoma constitutes the second most common type of primary ovarian adenocarcinoma, the sertoliform variant is rarely encountered. We describe a case of this rare ovarian carcinoma which mimics a Sertoli cell tumour in its pathological appearance (AU)

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is not associated with elevated serum neopterin levels

Neopterin, a marker of cellular immune activation, was elevated in patients who had cervical cancer in previous studies. To examine neopterin in the presence of precursors to cervical cancer (i.e. cervical intraepithelial) we measured serum levels in 185 colposcopy patients in Jamaica, a country with high cervical cancer incidence, and in 72 age-matched Jamaican women selected from a large population-based sample. We also measured serum levels of B-2 microglobulin, another commonly used marker of immune activation. Neopterin and B-2 microglobulin levels were not elevated in colposcopy patients; neither were they rel ted to severity of cervical neoplasia. In multivariable analysis, neither adjustments for detection of cervical human papillomavirus DNA by PCR nor detection of antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (a retrovirus endemic to Jamaica) altered our findings. The absence of serologically detectable increase in cellular immune activation linked to cervical intraepithelial neoplasmia does not involve susbtantial systemic immune activation. (AU)

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I and severe neoplasia of the cervix in Jamaica

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) was associated with carcinoma of the cervix in Japan in a recent study that compared hospital cases with healthy population-based controls. To test this relationship in women more alike for cervical neoplasia risk factors (including sexual behavior and human papilloma virus: HPV), we enrolled consecutive patients from a colposcopy clinic in Kingston, Jamaica (an HTLV-1 endemic area). Patients underwent Pap smear, calopscopy, biopsy and cervical swab for detection of HPV by polymerase chain reaction. Cases were defined as women with CIN-3 or invasive cancer (CIN-3/CA). Controls included all patients with either CIN-1 or koilocytotic atypia, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significane or benign cervical pathology (all but one had at least inflammatory changes). Patients with CIN-2 were excluded to minimize risk of case-control misclassification. Cases were much more likely to be HTLV-1 seropositive than controls. Although mean age differed significantly between cases (mean age = 39 years) and controls (mean age = 33 years), control for age did not explain the relation of CIN-3/CA with HTLV-1. Among HPV DNA positive subjects the age-adjusted association was not diminished but lost statistical significance. HTLV-1 seroprevalence may be independently associated with progression to severe neoplasia of the cervix (AU)

Deaths associated with intrapartum asphyxia in Jamaica

The Jamaican Perinatal Mortality Survey compared all 2069 perinatal deaths occurring during the 12 months between 1 September 1986 and 31 August 1987 with 10086 survivors born in the 2 months of September and October 1986. The Wigglesworth classification identified 44 percent of the deaths as attributable to intrapartum asphyxia (IPA), and this grouping was largely confirmed by post-mortem examination where it had been carried out. About half of these babies weighed 2500g+ and death should have been largely preventable. Comparison of the 813 IPA singleton deaths with 9919 singleton survivors using logistic regression showed independent associations with maternal employment status, the number of children in the household, maternal height, whether or not the mother was trying to get pregnant, or had ever used an intrauterine contraceptive device. Medical conditions such as syphilis, untreated vaginal infection, bleeding < 28 weeks, bleeding 28+ weeks, highest diastolic and first blood pressures and eclamptic fits antenatally were all strongly associated. Mothers who commenced antenatal care in the first trimester were at reduced risk as were those who took iron during pregnancy. There were at substantial reductions in mortality in areas where better medical facilities were available. To this model, features of previous obstetric history were offered, but the only variables which entered were those relating to prior perinatal deaths and immediately preceding miscarriage and termination. Examination of specific features in the management of labour and delivery is a logical basis for the introduction of changes in practice. Caesarean section is unlikely to be apropriate but it is suggested that more active interventions in terms of use of forceps and/or vacuum extraction may be useful (Summary)

Perinatal mortality survey in Jamaica: aims and methodology

The Jamaican Perinatal Mortality survey was designed to identify the true perinatal mortality rate, and assess the factors which could contribute towards a reduction in perinatal mortality on the island. All births in a 2-month period (n=10527) were compared with all perinatal deaths occurring over a 12-month period (n=2069). Over half the deaths (n=1058) received a detailed post-mortem examination. Use of the Wigglesworth classification identifies the major component of perinatal death in this country to be associated with intrapartum asphyxia (44 percent of deaths). Deaths due to congenital malformations and miscellaneous causes contribute relatively little (<10 percent) to the overall mortality rate. Over a quarter of deaths apparently occur before the onset of labour, a a fifth are prematurely liveborn but die of causes related to immaturity (Summary)

Occipital osteodiastasis in Jamaica

The Jamaican Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Survey (1986 - 1987) revealed nine cases of a previously unreported form of birth-related injury in the English-speaking Caribbean - occipital osteodiastasis. Aspects of the clinical and pathological features of this form of occipital bone injury are presented and discussed. Our findings suggest that this lesion might occur more often than is currently accepted.