General
and Systemic Histopathology, C601&C602
Slide 97: Adrenal Tuberculosis
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Your slide is a little
faded, but there should be no trouble appreciating the destruction of the
adrenal by tuberculosis. In the picture to the left you can easily see
the generalized caseous necrosis. I suggest you start on the cortex
and work your way into the specimen. At least for a bit you'll know
where you are on the slide.
See this slide with the
virtual microscope. |
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Observe the granuloma
with caseous necrosis at its center. There are a few giant cells, but the
principal remaining inflammatory pattern is of non-specific chronic inflammation.
You will see lymphocytes and plasma cells comprising the majority of the inflammatory
pattern. At one time, this was a very common cause of adrenal failure and
subsequent Addison's disease. Today adrenal insufficiency secondary to destruction
of the gland is more often the result of metastatic cancer. Even so, destruction
of the gland is not the most common cause of Addison's disease. Do you know
what is? |
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