Pathology Flashcards
(272 cards)
Rhinitis
Inflammation of the nasal mucosa
Allergic rhinitis
- subtype of rhinitis due to type I hypersensitivity (immediate hypersensitivity)
- characterized by inflammatory infiltrate with eosinophils
- associated with other atopic disorders (asthma and eczema)
What cells type I hypersensitivity reactions associated with?
early phase: sensitized mast cells and basophils
late phase: eosinophils
Mechanism of type 1 hypersensitivity
Sensitization:
- antigen is presented to CD4+ Th2 cells specific to the antigen
- TH2 cells stimulate B-cell produce of IgE antibodies to that antigen
- IgE binds to Fcε receptors on the surface of tissue mast cells and blood basophils
Hypersensitivity
- later exposure to antigen crosslinks the bound IgE on sensitized cells –> degranulation
- release of initial mediators pre-formed mediators
- histamine (bronchoconstriction, mucus secretion, vasodilation, vascular permeability)
- tryptase (proteolysis)
- kininogenase (kinins and vasodilation, vascular permeability, edema)
- ECF-A (attact eosinophil and neutrophils)
- Formation and release of late stage mediators
- leukotriene B4 (basophil attractant)
- leukotriene C4, D4 (same as histamine but 1000x more potent)
- prostaglandins D2 (edema and pain)
- PAF (platelet aggregation and heparin release –> microthrombi)
What are patients who have repeated bouts of rhinitis at risk for?
Development of nasal polyps
Nasal polyp
Protrusion of edematous, inflamed nasal mucosa usually secondary to repeated bouts of rhinitis
- Child with nasal polyps –> think cystic fibrosis
- Also occurs in patients with aspirin-intolerant asthma
Aspirin intolerant asthma
Characterized by a triad of
- asthma
- aspirin-induced bronchospasms
- nasal polyps (~10% of asthmatic adults)
2 conditions associated w/ nasal polyps
- aspirin intolerant asthma
- cystic fibrosis (children typically)
Angiofibroma
- Benign tumor of nasal mucosa composed of large blood vessels and fibrous tissue
- classically seen in adolescent males (very very rarely seen in female)
- presents with profuse epistaxis (nose bleed)
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- Malignant tumor of nasopharyngeal epithelium
- associated with EBV
- Classically seen in African children and Chinese adults
- Often presents with involvement of cervical lymph nodes
- Biopsy usually reveals pleomorphic keratin-positive epithelial cells (poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma) in the background of lymphocytes
Intermediate filament that can be stained for in epithelial cells? What type of cancers is it associated with?
Keratin – carcinomas
Acute epiglottitis
Inflammation of the epiglottis
H influenza type B is most common cause (immunized or nonimmunized)
Acute epiglottitis presentation
- High fever, sore throat (due to inflammation in that region)
- drooling with dysphagia (swollen epiglottis –> compromised airway –> dysphagia (difficulty swalling))
- muffled voice, inspiratory stridor (compromised airway)
Risk of acute airway obstruction
Laryngotracheobronchitis
Inflammation of the upper airway
Parainfluenza virus is the most common cause
Presents with a hoarse, “barking” cough and inspiratory stridor
Patient presents with a hoarse, “barking” cough and inspiratory stridor
laryngotracheobronchitis
laryngotracheobronchitis most common cause
parainfluenza virus (RNA virus)
vocal cord nodule
Nodule that arises on vocal cord.
Most often due to excessive use –> bilateral presentation
Nodule is composed of degenerative (myxoid) connective tissue
Presents with hoarseness; resolves with rest
vocal cord nodule - most common cause
wear and tear – excessive use
resolves with rest
Laryngeal papilloma
- Benign papillary tumor of vocal cord
- Due to HPV 6 and 11 (b/c its HPV, you would expect koilocytic change on biopsy)
- Single mass in adults and multiple in children
- Presents with hoarseness
Laryngeal papilloma causes
HPV 6 and 11 –> will cause koilocytic change
Laryngeal carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma arising from epithelial lining of vocal cord
Risk factors: alcohol and tobacco
Possible to get larygneal carcinoma that evolves from laryngeal papilloma (as it is due to a HPV virus)
Presents with hoarseness; other signs include cough and stridor
Laryngeal carcinoma risk factors
Biggest ones: alcohol and tobacco
Rare, but can occur: laryngeal papilloma —> laryngeal carcinoma
Pneumonia
Infection of the lung parenchyma
occurs when normal defenses are impaired
- cough reflex (not able to remove organisms/particles that we normally would cough up
- dmg to mucociliary escalator
- mucous plugging
What normal defenses are typically damaged to allow for pneumonia?
- cough reflex (not able to remove organisms/particles that we normally would cough up
- dmg to mucociliary escalator
- mucous plugging










