Cytological diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma with rib metastasis in a young female--a case report.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas are second most common primary tumors of the liver. They are usually seen in 6th to 7th decades of life and at an advanced stage leading to poor prognosis. Their occurrence in the young age group is rare. Histopathological features of this tumor are well documented but literature regarding cytomorphological features on FNA is limited. We describe the cytological features of this tumor in a young woman presenting primarily with a rib metastasis. FNA smears from hard lump in the right chest wall and liver mass showed small round tumor cells arranged in the form of sheets, clusters and occasional tubules. The cells showed mild pleomorphism and bland nuclear morphology. Intimately admixed with tumor cells were spindle shaped fibroblastic cells. Serum alpha-fetoprotein level was within normal limit. Special stain for bile and immunocytochemical staining for NSE, chromogranin and CALLA were all negative. Cholangiocarcinoma was diagnosed based on cytological findings and special stains and this diagnosis was histologically confirmed on biopsy.

Comparison of endoscopic brush cytology with biopsy for detection of Helicobacter pylori in patients with gastroduodenal diseases.

Upper GI endoscopy was performed in 50 adult patients attending the gastroenterology OPD with gastroduodenal diseases. Gastric antral mucosal brushings were taken for cytological evaluation and urea broth test followed by antral biopsy. The slides prepared were stained with Wright Giemsa (WG), Hema toxylin & Eosin (H&E) and Papanicolaou (Pap). Brush Cytology Smears were compared with biopsy sections for detection of Helicobacter pylori and the staining techniques were evaluated to see which stain was easiest to perform and interpret on routine basis. H&E stained sections were examined for histomorphological parameters associated with H. pylori infection. Brush cytology was rapid and simple with observed sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 100%. On evaluating the various stains, M.B. and W.G. were found to the rapid and easy to perform and the bacteria stood out very well against the background. Of the histomorphological parameters studied, presence of actively and lymphoid aggregates and absence of intestinal metaplasia correlated positively with the presence of the bacteria. Cytological brushing urea broth test was not very sensitive (55.2%) and specific (51%) for detection of the bacteria.