Podiatric Pathology Flashcards

Which histological finding is most characteristic of a plantar fibroma (Ledderhose disease)?

Answer: Proliferating myofibroblasts within the plantar fascia

Plantar fibromas consist of proliferating myofibroblasts embedded in a collagen-rich stroma within the plantar fascia.

A biopsy of a subungual lesion shows a vascular proliferation with a central fibrous core and surrounding epithelium. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Acquired digital fibrokeratoma

Acquired digital fibrokeratoma presents as a hyperkeratotic protrusion with a fibrovascular core covered by acanthotic epidermis.

Which pathological change defines Charcot neuroarthropathy in its acute phase at the histological level?

Answer: Osteoclastic bone resorption with periosteal new bone formation

Acute Charcot arthropathy is characterized by osteoclast-mediated bone resorption driven by an autonomic neuropathy-induced inflammatory cascade.

A 55-year-old diabetic patient has a heel ulcer with a biopsy showing fibrin exudate, granulation tissue, and no epithelialization. This corresponds to which wound healing phase?

Answer: Proliferative phase

Granulation tissue formation is the hallmark of the proliferative phase, even when epithelialization is delayed as in chronic diabetic wounds.

Which type of osteomyelitis is most commonly caused by hematogenous spread in children affecting the long bones of the foot?

Answer: Type A (metaphyseal)

Hematogenous osteomyelitis in children preferentially affects the metaphysis due to its sluggish blood flow and lack of phagocytic lining cells.

A 40-year-old runner presents with a mass over the second metatarsal head. Biopsy reveals a mucoid cyst with degenerating collagen and no true synovial lining. What is the diagnosis?

Answer: Ganglion cyst

Ganglion cysts arise from myxoid degeneration of connective tissue and lack a true epithelial or synovial lining, distinguishing them from synovial cysts.

In osteosarcoma of the foot, which histological feature is pathognomonic?

Answer: Malignant osteoid production by tumor cells

Osteosarcoma is defined by the direct production of malignant osteoid (immature bone matrix) by neoplastic cells.