Splenic hydatid cyst is very rare, caused by the parasite echinococcus granulosus. Humans are considered an accidental intermediate host in the development of the parasite cycle. It poses a diagnostic dilemma with other cystic masses despite improved medical imaging techniques often requiring exploratory surgeries for fear of missing out on a malignant tumor. Total or partial splenectomy remains the treatment of first choice and the most effective. We report a case of solitary splenic hydatid cyst and discuss the different differential diagnoses and therapeutic modalities. Show less

This essay reflects on the craft of diagnostic pathology, using color and pattern as a narrative lens. Through case vignettes, it illustrates how morphology, staining, and visual reasoning translate into clinical answers. The perspective emphasizes communication, uncertainty management, and the human dimension of laboratory work. Show less

Thyroid malignant nodules (TMNs) are the most common endocrine cancer. The etiology and pathogenesis of TMNs must be considered as multifactorial. Diagnostic evaluation of TMNs represents a challenge, since there are numerous benign and malignant thyroid disorders that need to be exactly attributed. The present study was performed to clarify the possible role of some trace elements (TEs) as cancer biomarker. For this aim thyroid tissue levels of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), iodine (I), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), and zinc (Zn) were prospectively evaluated in malignant tumor and thyroid tissue adjacent to tumor of 41 patients with TMNs. Measurements were performed using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescent analysis. Results of the study were additionally compared with previously obtained data for the same TEs in “normal” thyroid tissue. From results obtained, it was possible to conclude that the common characteristics of TMNs in comparison with “normal” thyroid and visually “intact” thyroid tissue adjacent to tumor were drastically reduced level of I. It was supposed that the drastically reduced level of I content in cancerous tissue could possibly be explored for differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Show less

Background Thyroid benign (TBN) and malignant (TMN) nodules are a common thyroid lesion. The differentiation of TMN often remains a clinical challenge and further improvements of TMN diagnostic accuracy are warranted. The aim of present study was to evaluate possibilities of using differences in trace elements (TEs) contents in nodular tissue for diagnosis of thyroid malignancy. Methods Contents of TEs such as silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), boron (B),, beryllium (Be), bismuth (Bi), cadmium (Cd), cerium (Ce), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), cesium (Cs), iron (Fe), gallium (Ga), mercury (Hg), iodine (I), lanthanum (La), lithium (Li), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), neodymium (Nd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), praseodymium (Pr), rubidium (Rb), antimony (Sb), scandium (Sc), selenium (Se), samarium (Sm), tin (Sn), thallium (Tl), uranium (U), yttrium (Y), and zinc (Zn) were prospectively evaluated in nodular tissue of thyroids with TBN (79 patients) and to TMN (41 patients). Measurements were performed using a combination of non-destructive instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short- and long-lived radionuclides (INAA-SLR and INAA-LLR, respectively) and destructive method such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results It was observed that in TMN tissue the mean mass fractions of Be, Fe, I, Sc, and Se are approximately 1.9, 1.7, 14, 3.1, and 1.6 times, respectively, lower while the mass fraction of Ga, Mo, and Rb 62%, 51%, and 33%, respectively, higher than those in TBN tissue. Contents of Ag, Al, B, Bi, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Hg, La, Li, Mn, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, Sb, Sm, Sn, Tl, U, Y, and Zn found in the TBN and TMN groups of nodular tissue samples were similar. Conclusions It was proposed to use the I mass fraction, as well as I/Ga, I/Mo, and I/Rb mass fraction ratios in a needle-biopsy of thyroid nodules as a potential tool to diagnose thyroid malignancy. Further studies on larger number of samples are required to confirm our findings and proposals. Show less