Spectrum of fungal infections in nasal polyps: a single center study in Karachi

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of fungal infection in nasal polyps and highlight the role of fungal culture in comparison with the histological evaluation in identifying fungal infections This was a descriptive study conducted over a period of one year from 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2008 during which consecutive samples of nasal polyps were examined. Only those samples were included in the study which were received in two containers, containing 10% formalin and normal saline, for histopathological examination and microbiological evaluation respectively. Results were recorded on a proforma containing age, sex, histological findings and results of culture. A total of 42 samples were studied. Nasal polyps were found to be more common in males as compared to females. They were predominantly common in adults with mean age of 23.7 years. Positive culture for fungus was seen in 25 cases with Aspergillus spp was the most common isolate seen in 19 cases. Out of 25 culture positive cases, only 12 were identified on histology slides using special stains. There was increased prevalence of fungal infections in nasal polyps and this may explain the etiology as well as the frequent recurrences associated with nasal polyps. The importance of fungal culture has been highlighted in final identification of fungus. So it is recommended that all nasal polyps be simultaneously examined both histopathologically and microbiologically for effective clinical management

importance of lymph node biopsy in diagnosis of lymphadenopathy

A study of 826 consecutive lymph node biopsies received during the period of four years from 19931996 was conducted to determine its role in arriving at a diagnosis and to see the pattern of diseases with which patient presented. These biopsies were interpreted in the Department of Pathology, PNS Shifa Naval Hospital, a tertiary care center for the armed forces personnel in the southern part of Pakistan. The age of the patients varied from 10 months to 88 years. The commonest pathology encountered was tuberculosis [50.9%], followed by reactive hyperplasia [33.2%], malignant lymphomas [5.8%] and metastatic tumors [4.9%]. Miscellaneous conditions like necrotizing lymphadenitis, infectious mononucleosis, sarcoidosis, Castleman's disease and lepromatous leprosy comprised 0.3% each. Cases of lymphadenopathy can now be diagnosed by other means such as fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC] of the palpable lymph node but still lymph node biopsy plays an important role in typing of lymphomas and helps in those cases which cannot be diagnosed definitely by fine needle aspiration cytology

Pattern of malignant tumors in Karachi - is it different?

This was a retrospective study conducted at the Department of Pathology, PNS Shifa Naval Hospital, Karachi, with the objective to determine the ten commonest malignant tumors during the period from January, 1995 - December, 1997. A total of 634 cases were analyzed, male-female ratio was 1.5:1. The age range in males was 1-92 years and in females 8-85 years. The commonest malignancy in male was prostatic carcinoma [7.95%], followed by urinary bladder cancer [7.69%], lung cancer [7.18%], skin cancer [5.89%] and lymphoma [5.38%] while in females, breast cancer predominated [22.95%], followed by gall bladder [7.38%], endometrium [6.15%], skin [5.33%] and esophagus [4.92%]. Endometrial and ovarian cancers occurred with a greater frequency than cervical cancer