Wednesday, May 5, 2010

What's the diagnosis?

After examining this photomicrograph of a section taken from the hippocampus at autopsy, write your diagnosis in the comment section. I'll post the correct diagnosis on Monday (May 10). Good luck!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The photomicrograph shows at least 3 plaques. I played with the idea that these are kuru plaques but the amyloid center is insufficiently stellate and these look more like typical senile plaques of Alzheimer's Disease. Consequently, although I see no tangles, Hirano Bodies, or other lesions in this H&E, that is my diagnosis from this one image.

Brian E. Moore, MD, MEd said...

THE ANSWER:
This is a photomicrograph from a patient with Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker (GSS) disease. Three plaques are present. On the far left and the far right are kuru plaques with characteristic amyloid cores. In the center is a senile plaque as one would see in Alzheimer disease (AD). So this patient had both GSS and AD pathology. Thanks to Dr. Mark Cohen of Case Western Reserve University for providing the photo.

Theresa Matthews said...

Dear Dr. Moore,
Perhaps some of your followers would be interested in attending the annual CJD Family Conference held in Washington, DC in July. Conference fees are kept to a minimum. (I believe when I attended in 2006 and 2007 they were $150.00. Perhaps these are even tax deductible educational expenses?) Speakers and experts from all corners of the world are now showing up and are very engaging. I have attached a link so that you can review the material to be presented this year, July 16-19, 2010. http://www.cjdfoundation.org/pdfs/2010conference.pdf
I can't think of a better way to quickly update and connect with what is cutting edge prion research. I'm certain the family members would appreciate seeing pathologists in their hometowns taking an active interest in broadening their understanding of current prion disease issues. Thanks for considering this continuing education option.

Brian E. Moore, MD, MEd said...

Thank you for the information, Theresa. It would be wonderful to have pathologists attending that conference!!

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