Pathology
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Urine is the most frequently received clinical specimen for bacterial culture. To determine whether dipstick or microscopy results reliably predicted the presence or absence of a reportable urinary pathogen we performed dipstick testing and phase contrast microscopy on unspun urine from 500 specimens. We also investigated the relationship between the presence of squamous epithelial cells (SECs) and mixed growth on culture. ⋯ SEC contamination does not reliably predict cultures with mixed growth, urine specimens with negative dipstick results and microscopy rarely contain a reportable urinary pathogen, and screening algorithms are warranted and justified.
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We reviewed all cases of pilonidal sinus excision specimens from our surgical pathology records from 1990 to 2000 to determine the presence of glomus coccygeum. We found only two cases of glomus coccygeum, also known as coccygeal body. We describe the histology and immunohistochemical findings of two glomera coccygea incidentally discovered in pilonidal sinus excision specimens, and review the world's English literature.
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Case Reports
Investigation of coagulopathy in three cases of tiger snake (Notechis ater occidentalis) envenomation.
To investigate the severe coagulopathy (fibrinogen < 1.0 g/l) that occurs in some cases of tiger snake envenomation. Specifically, to determine the concentration of clotting factors on presentation and during resolution of the coagulopathy. ⋯ The non-parallel results and the apparent increase in factor levels prior to treatment may result from the transient presence of an inhibitor to factors VIII, IX and XI in cases of tiger snake envenomation. Insight into the effects of snake venom on individual coagulation factors could be beneficial when considering new treatments for the coagulopathy induced by snake envenomation.