SMARCB1 (INI-1) – Deficient sinonasal carcinoma: Report of two cases

SMARCB1 (INI-1)-deficient sinonasal carcinoma is a rare, poorly differentiated carcinoma defined by complete loss of tumor suppressor gene SMARCB1 (INI-1) within the neoplastic cell nuclei demonstrated by the immunohistochemical stain. SMARCB1 (INI-1) gene inactivation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a diverse group of malignant neoplasms that tend to share “rhabdoid” morphology. SMARCB1 (INI-1)-deficient sinonasal carcinoma was first reported by Agaimy et al. in 2014. These tumors are often basaloid with focal rhabdoid differentiation, prominent necrosis, increased mitotic activity, and aggressive behavior. Other than being INI-1 and NUT negative, they are positive for pancytokeratin and express variable immunoreactivity for squamous markers like p63 and neuroendocrine markers like synaptophysin. Most patients present with locally advanced disease and hence a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery is usually recommended.

Malignant Melanoma Infiltrating the Bone Marrow.

Malignant melanoma with infiltration into the bone marrow is seldom reported in the literature, for they are exceedingly rare. The primary site is not always apparent and a sizeable number of cases have been attributed to an occult primary. Metastasis to bone marrow is a terminal event usually occurring in stage IV of the disease and can be a focus of residual tumor cells which can cause a relapse.The current documentation is of a case of melanoma occurring as a rectal primary with anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukoerythroblastic reaction. The marrow aspirates and trephine biopsy showed round to spindle-shaped malignant cells with intracytoplasmic brown-black coarse pigment, suggestive of melanin. The patient was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma but was lost for follow-up. The recognition of such an entity is important for both pathologists and clinicians alike. This case is being reported for the novelty of such an occurrence.

Ovarian borderline mucinous tumor with squamous overgrowth: An unusual finding with review of literature

Borderline mucinous tumor (BMT) is often associated with other entities such as dermoid cyst, Brenner tumor, and endometriosis. Squamous areas are often associated which may be a part of BMT or its associated conditions. Here, we describe squamous overgrowth in a case of intestinal type of mucinous borderline tumor in a 29-year-old uniparous female and discuss the diagnostic difficulties.

Use of serum bactericidal activity in assessing previous antibiotic therapy in acute lower respiratory tract infection in children.

Bactericidal activity in sera of children with acute lower respiratory tract infection was assayed to determine its effect on the outcome of blood culture. Parental reporting of prior antibiotic therapy was also determined. 14.4% of samples without serum bactericidal activity yielded pathogens from blood culture, whereas only 2.4% of samples with serum bactericidal activity yielded pathogens. A statistically significant correlation was found between isolation of pathogens by blood culture and serum bactericidal activity. Parental reporting could not be relied upon as there was no positive correlation.

Genital standards for south Indian male newborns.

One hundred and thirty-five male newborns in JIPMER hospital were studied. The penile length (stretched and unstretched), width as well as testicular length and breadth were measured. The influence of the gestational age and intrauterine growth on these measurements were studied. The mean stretched penile length for term babies was 3.57 cms (+/- 0.46), the unstretched length 3.26 cms (+/- 0.41), and the width was 1.04 cms (+/- 0.15). There was a linear increase in the above measurements with increasing gestational age. The right testicular length was 1.39 cms (+/- 0.28) and breadth was 0.98 cm (+/- 0.15) while the length and breadth for left testis were 1.32 cms (+/- 0.24) and 0.95 cm (+/- 0.14) respectively for term babies. The prepucial type was tubular in 103 (76.3%) babies and of ring type in 32 (23.7%). In 72 (53.3%) babies the prepuce could be retracted enough to visualise external urinary meatus.