SM

11 - Heart: Subacute tuberculous pericarditis

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Rodin Number: 20
E Number: 145
Donor: Osler
Date: c 1877
Size (H x W cm): 16 x 14

The specimen consists of a heart in which the parietal pericardium (P) and epicardium are thickened by fibrous tissue, consistent with chronic pericarditis.

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Comment

According to Rodin, the likely autopsy protocol (PDF icon rodin_oslerian_pathology_221-222.pdf) states that the specimen was from a child who “looked tuberculous” and whose peritoneum showed numerous nodules consistent with military tuberculosis. Nodular foci of apparent tuberculosis were also found in the lungs, spleen and kidneys. The pericardium contained only a small amount of fluid and “a dozen or more flat slightly elevated caseous masses” interpreted by Osler as tuberculous. These "masses" are not clearly seen in the specimen (although one may have been present at the site sampled for histologic examination (H)).

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