An audit of frozen sections for suspected gastrointestinal malignancies in a tertiary referral hospital in India

Background: Frozen Sections (FS) are used to assess margins, for staging, and primary diagnosis. FS guide intraoperative treatment decisions in oncological gastro-intestinal tract surgeries and further management of the patients. Aim: To analyze the distribution, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of frozen sections in gastrointestinal pathology in our institution during the period of 3 years (2016–2018). Material and Methods: This study was an audit to determine the accuracy of FS reports by comparing them with the paraffin section (PS) reports. The FS diagnoses and their PS diagnoses were noted in 1704 gastrointestinal surgeries during the period from 2016 to 2018. Discrepancies were noted and slides of discrepant cases were reviewed to determine the cause. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were calculated using the standard formulae. Results: Out of 1704 cases, correct diagnosis on frozen section was made in 1649 cases (96.77%), 20 (1.17%) were deferred cases, and 35 (2.05%) were discrepant cases. The commonest discrepancies were seen in the primary diagnosis of the gall bladder and gastrectomy margins. The commonest causes for discrepancies were interpretation errors and technical errors. Sensitivity was 91.71%, specificity was 99.69%, positive predictive value was 98.84%, negative predictive value was 97.68%, and accuracy was 97.92%. Conclusion: FS diagnosis is a reliable guide to surgeons for intraoperative management. Studying deep cuts and careful sampling at frozen sections will help reduce discrepancies.

An epidemiological study on home injuries among children of 0� years in South Delhi

Background: Injuries are an important public health problem worldwide, accounting for 5 million deaths, of which unintentional injuries account for 0.8 million deaths in children. Though there are many factors responsible for injury in the home, the environment plays an important role. Objectives: The objectives were to study the magnitude and pattern of home injuries in children aged 0� years and to assess the environmental risk associated with home injuries. Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 in a ward of Mehrauli containing 20,800 households, and the total sample of children was selected from 400 households by systematic random sampling, with sampling interval being 52. Information was taken using a predesigned, semi-structured, pretested proforma from both the parents and children. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 12. Results: The prevalence of home injury was found to be 39.7% in the last 1 year, significantly higher in the age group of 1�years (54.3%) followed by 5� years (45.1%) (P = 0.000). The total number of injuries and the average number of injuries in girls were significantly higher than those of boys. The most common type of home injury was falls (59.5%) followed by injury with sharps and burn injury. The environmental risk was assessed using standard and working definitions and found unsafe electrical points (95.3%), unsafe stairs (100%), unsafe kitchen with access to sharps (29.3%), access to active fire (19.3%), and unsafe furniture and objects (22.8%). Conclusion: Though home injury did not occur in 60% of the children during the study period, the risk of injury in the future is high. Educating the parents and the children at schools and environmental modification are important strategies for prevention of home injury.

Comparative study between liquid-based cytology & conventional Pap smear for cytological follow up of treated patients of cancer cervix

Background & objectives: Cancer cervix is one of the most common forms of genital malignancy among Indian women. Recurrence is seen in a significant number of cases. The conventional cervical smear technique has inherent problems and screening and interpretation errors. This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of liquid-based cytology (LBC) as a method for cytological follow up and detection of recurrence in treated cases of cancer cervix and to compare it with conventional Pap smear technique to find the best screening method for detection of recurrence in these patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of one year. Patients attending Gynecology and Radiotherapy outpatient departments for follow up after treatment of cancer cervix were included. Pap smear and LBC were taken in all cases. Colposcopy and biopsy were done for those having epithelial cell abnormality in cytology report. Colposcopy and biopsy were taken as gold standard for diagnosis of cancer cervix recurrence. Results: Ninety four treated patients of carcinoma cervix were studied. The diagnostic accuracy for detection of recurrence of conventional Pap smear was 79.16 per cent, and that of LBC was 97.6 per cent. The difference between the two methods was significant (P<0.001). Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings showed that LBC performed better than the conventional method of cytology to detect recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma. Its sensitivity, specificity as well as accuracy were much higher than conventional method. LBC can be a better method of cytological follow up of post-treated patients of cancer cervix.

Presence of CD3+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes is significantly associated with good prognosis in infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of CD3+ TILs in infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immuno-histochemistry was done with CD3 antibodies in tissue sections of 127 breast cancer patients, and CD3+ intra-tumoral and stromal TILs were counted in relation to clinico-pathological variables. RESULTS: Intra-tumoral and stromal CD3+ TILs were significantly associated with positive lymph node status (P = 0.006, P = 0.043, respectively) without significant association with age, menopausal status, family history, and hormonal status. The higher CD3 intra-tumoral and stromal counts both showed significant association with good prognosis (P = 0.039, P = 0.044, respectively). The intra-tumoral count was higher than stromal count and was independently associated with disease-free survival in stage I and II cancer (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: CD3+ TILs may serve as independent marker of good prognosis in IDC breast. The findings of this study need further validation on a larger sample size.

Fungal rhinosinusitis: A prospective study in a University hospital of Uttar Pradesh.

Background: To assess the purpose of fungal rhinosinusitis in a University hospital and to correlate histopathological findings with culture results for accurate clinical classification of the disease. Materials and Methods: One-hundred suspected patients were included in the study. Data was collected in a brief predetermined format. Samples like nasal lavages, sinus secretions, and tissue specimens were processed and examined by microbiology culture using recommended techniques. Slide culture was done to observe the microscopic morphology. Histopathological examination was done by H and E stain and PAS stain for classification. Results: Out of 100 cases of rhinosinusitis, 21 cases were culture-positive for fungal rhinosinusitis. On the basis of histopathological findings, 14 cases (66.67%) were found to be of non-invasive fungal rhinosinusitis. Aspergillus flavus was the most common fungal isolate. Conclusion: Mycological profile of rhinosinusitis in Lucknow was thus evaluated. Histopathological and microbiological findings reported 21 cases of fungal rhinosinusitis among 100 suspected cases of rhinosinusitis.

Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccine: An update.

The world witnessed a the first influenza pandemic in this century and fourth overall since first flu pandemic was reported during the World War I. The past experiences with influenza viruses and this pandemic of H1N1 place a consider­able strain on health services and resulted in serious illnesses and a large number of deaths. Develop­ing countries were declared more likely to be at risk from the pandemic effects, as they faced the dual problem of highly vulnerable populations and limited resources to respond H1N1. The public health experts agreed that vaccination is the most effective ways to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic. The vaccines for H1N1 virus have been used in over 40 coun­tries and administered to over 200 million people helped in a great way and on August 10, 2010, World Health Organization (WHO) announced H1N1 to be in postpandemic period. But based on knowledge about past pandemics, the H1N1 (2009) virus is expected to continue to circulate as a seasonal virus and may undergo some agenic-variation. As WHO strongly recommends vaccination, vigilance for regular updating of the composition of influenza vaccines, based on an assessment of the future impact of circulating viruses along with safety surveillance of the vaccines is necessary. This review has been done to take a stock of the currently available H1N1 vaccines and their possible use as public health intervention in the postpandemic period.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in different stages of cervical cancer: Prognostic significance.

Background: Free radical Injury is associated with cancer, but how the extent of oxidative stress correlates with the FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage in Carcinoma Cervix (Ca Cx), and its significance as a prognostic marker, is not clear and needs an in-depth study. Aim: To correlate the blood levels of Lipid Peroxidation (LPO), Reduced Glutathione (GSH), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Vitamin A and E levels with the clinical stage in Ca Cx. Settings and Design: This is a Prospective Case Control Study. Materials and Methods: LPO, SOD, reduced GSH were estimated by Bio Chemical Assays and Vitamins by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Statistical Analysis: The cases and controls were compared using One Way ANOVA and different stages over different time periods were individually compared by Repeated Measure Analysis of Variance. Results: The results indicated a statistically significant increase of LPO vis-a-vis the FIGO stage of Ca Cx and control, while the antioxidant status as depicted by GSH and SOD decreased. Vitamin A and E levels were significantly lower in cancer cases as compared to the control. Conclusion: Increased LPO and reduced antioxidant levels may be taken as associated predictive markers, thus suggesting that Ca Cx cases should get nutritive supplements to contain the blood LPO level and maintain a positive balance of antioxidants for a better outcome in terms of delayed recurrence and better Quality of Life (QOL).

Fracture of the temporal bone: A tomographic v/s autopsy study.

The present study was conducted in the Dep’t. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, SMS Medical College Jaipur (Raj), in the period from 15 Dec. 2001 to 4 April 2002. With the aim to find out the correlation of X-ray (Skull), CT scan (Head), Surgical intervention findings with the autopsy findings in the cases of acute Head trauma. Total of 140 cases of acute head trauma were selected irrespective of age, sex, religion caste etc. who had been admitted in Neurosurgery dep’t. And X-ray, CT scan head and /or surgical intervention had been done, subsequently died & autopsy was performed. X- ray skull gave batter information on fracture of skull than CT Scan, particularly when the fracture is located on the vault or base of skull and is of linear variety [1]. 27 cases of fracture of the temporal bone were specially studied, out of these 140 cases. All these cases had the features of triad, indicating of fracture of petrous part of temporal bone i.e. CSF Otorrhoea 14(51.1%), 7th nerve palsy 9(33.3%), serve middle ear bleeding 18(66.6%) & conducting hearing loss 5(85%). The plain X-ray demonstrated the fracture of temporal bone in 21 cases (79%) and the CT Scan demonstrated their in 24 cases (88%) Longitudinal fractures are common in 18 cases (66%) and procedure of choice for their demonstration is lateral tomography, Transverse fracture alone was uncommon (2 cases) and can only be demonstrated in anterior posterior tomographic projections and is usually associated with occipital fractures. CT Scan Examination give better information in detection of fracture of temporal bone as well as the type of fracture [2] which is essential for planning the surgical intervention or treating the patient conservatively in order to avoid the complications like, persistent CSF otorrhoea, posterior meningitis or even death.

Fracture of the temporal bone: A tomographic v/s autopsy study.

The present study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, SMS Medical College Jaipur (Raj), in the period from December 15, 2001 to April 4, 2002. With the aim to find out the correlation of X-ray (Skull), CT scan (Head), surgical intervention findings with the autopsy findings in the cases of acute Head trauma. Total of 140 cases of acute head trauma were selected irrespective of age, sex, religion caste etc. who had been admitted in Neurosurgery dep’t. And X-ray, CT scan head and /or surgical intervention had been done, subsequently died & autopsy was performed. X- ray skull gave batter information on fracture of skull than CT Scan, particularly when the fracture is located on the vault or base of skull and is of linear variety. [1] Twenty seven cases of fracture of the temporal bone were specially studied, out of these 140 cases. All these cases had the features of triad, indicating of fracture of petrous part of temporal bone i.e. CSF Otorrhoea 14(51.1%), 7th nerve palsy 9(33.3%), serve middle ear bleeding 18(66.6%) & conducting hearing loss 5(85%). The plain X-ray demonstrated the fracture of temporal bone in 21 cases (79%) and the CT Scan demonstrated their in 24 cases (88%) Longitudinal fractures are common in 18 cases (66%) and procedure of choice for their demonstration is lateral tomography, Transverse fracture alone was uncommon (2 cases) and can only be demonstrated in anterior posterior tomographic projections and is usually associated with occipital fractures. CT Scan Examination give better information in detection of fracture of temporal bone as well as the type of fracture [2] which is essential for planning the surgical intervention or treating the patient conservatively in order to avoid the complications like, persistent CSF otorrhoea, posterior meningitis or even death.

Implantation malignancy after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy may result in spillage of gall bladder contents during dissection or delivery of gall bladder through the umbilical port. We report a 50-year-old man who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for suspected calculous cholecystitis. Histology showed a single focus of adenocarcinoma in the gall bladder. There was spillage of gall bladder contents at the umbilical port during delivery. Six months later, he developed adenocarcinoma at the port site. This was treated by wide excision.

Haemostatic changes in children with cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease.

This study was undertaken to screen children with congenital heart disease for coagulation abnormalities and to compare the groups of cyanotic and acyanotic children with congenital heart disease with respect to abnormalities of the coagulation system. Following investigations were done in all the patients: complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, peripheral smear examination, bleeding time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, assay of fibrinogen, D-dimer, factors VII and VIII and antithrombin III. Red cell indices were determined in 12 control, 12 acyanotic and 20 cyanotic children. Twenty-five patients each, with echocardiographically proven cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease under 12 years of age constituted the study group; as many children of the same age group were included as the control group. The results showed isolated abnormalities of laboratory tests with equal frequency (28%) in acyanotic and cyanotic groups but coexisting abnormalities of more than one test were seen in significantly larger number of cyanotic children (5/25 and 16/25, respectively). A significant association was noted between thrombocytopenia and a high haematocrit in cyanotic patients. It is concluded that laboratory abnormalities of tests of haemostasis are more common in cyanotic congenital heart disease patients. The patterns of laboratory abnormalities suggest a chronic compensated disseminated intravascular coagulation at a subclinical level, reduced synthesis of clotting factors and/or deranged platelet aggregation in different subgroups of patients.

Immunohistochemical localization and correlation of p53 and PCNA expression in breast carcinoma.

The object of the present study is to detect the p53 tumour suppressor gene and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in breast carcinoma by immunohistochemistry and correlate them with the prognostic parameters. Total 35 cases of primary breast carcinoma were studied and classified histologically. Paraffin sections were stained by using monoclonal antibody D07 for p53 protein and PC-10 for PCNA. Out of 35 cases, 16 (45.7%) were p53 positive and 25 (71.4%) were PCNA positive. The mean PCNA labelling index (PCNA LI +/- SD) was 58.97 +/- 22.72 in tumors positive for both p53+ and PCNA+ while cases negative for p53- and positive for PCNA+ has higher PCNA LI +/- SD (59.24 +/- 18.97). The difference in the two groups was not significant. Most cases were positive for both p53+ and PCNA+ in the age group < 30 with higher mean PCNA LI +/- SD (62.20 +/- 27.13) than in the group > 30 (57.88 +/- 18.47). In the pre-menopausal group 57.1% cases were positive for p53+ with higher PCNA LI +/- SD (59.94 +/- 24.22). Maximum p53 and PCNA positivity was observed in grade III tumors (63.2% and 84.2%). The mean PCNA LI +/- SD was also highest in grade III carcinomas (66.83 +/- 13.97). No significant correlation was found between p53 and PCNA status with morphological type and tumour size except that logistic regression showed a positive correlation with tumour grade. Therefore the present study suggests that both p53 expression and PCNA are markers of poor differentiation in breast cancer.

Characterisation of Vibrio cholerae 0139 isolated from diarrhoeal stools.

A total of 174 samples of acute diarrhoeal stools received over a period of seven months, yielded 101 isolated morphologically and biochemically resembling Vibro cholerae. Serologically, 57(56.4 per cent) of the 101 isolates were identified as V. cholerae 01 and remaining 44 (43.6 per cent) as V. cholerae 0139. Keeping in mind the unique potential of 0139 among non 01 vibrio to cause epidemics, we decided to undertake the study of biochemical characters and physiological behaviour of all the 44 V. cholerae 0139 isolates. All the stains were Voges Proskauer's test positive' haemagglutinating and grew in the presence of 6 per cent sodium chloride. 13 (29.5 per cent) strains showed haemolytic activity. Nine (20.5 per cent) were polymyxin-B sensitive and 4 (9.0 per cent) fermented lactose. All the isolates showed considerable degree of homogeneity in their biochemical and physiological properties, some characters define them to be closer to El Tor biotype.

An uncommon presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus.

A patient who had discoid facial lesion for 10 years developed a right sided pleural effusion in which LE cells were demonstrated. The case is reported due to progression of DLE into SLE after a long interval and rare occurrence of LE cells in pleural fluid.

Upper urinary tract stone analysis using X-ray diffraction: results from a tertiary referral centre in northern India.

BACKGROUND: The spectrum of urinary stone disease has changed considerably in India from the common childhood bladder stone to the more frequent upper tract calculi. We analysed the gravel retrieved from the upper urinary tract using X-ray diffraction analysis in an attempt to evaluate the composition of the stones. METHODS: We analysed 434 upper urinary tract calculi from May 1993 to June 1994 obtained endourologically, as well as by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and open surgery. The stones were analysed using a Phillips compact X-ray diffractometer (PW1840). The PC-APD software was used for data collection and peak search. The phase matching was done by the software using the JCPDS reference database. RESULTS: Oxalate stones comprised 97% of the total stones with calcium oxalate monohydrate forming 90% and calcium oxalate dihydrate and mixed stones forming the remainder. Struvite stones were found in 1.4%, while uric acid and apatite stones were less than 1%. There were no cystine calculi. Seventy per cent of calcium oxalate monohydrate and 40% of calcium oxalate dihydrate stones were pure. All the struvite and apatite calculi were almost pure. Only 15% of staghorns did not consist of oxalate. Nine of the ten stones in children were of the calcium oxalate monohydrate variety. The stone composition in females was similar to that in males. CONCLUSIONS: X-ray diffraction data indicate that urinary stone disease in north India is different from that in the western world. Calcium oxalate monohydrate stones predominate. These stones are hard to break and have a different metabolic origin from those consisting of calcium oxalate dihydrate. These findings might help in selecting the most appropriate method of treatment in north India and they indicate directions in which further metabolic studies might be planned.

Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty in suprahepatic IVC obstruction--Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Encouraging results of Transluminal Angioplasty for Budd-Chiari Syndrome due to obstruction of Suprahepatic inferior vena cava have been reported in the last decade. We present our experience with two such patients, treated with balloon dilatation producing dramatic clinical improvements and control of disease on follow-up.

Microfilaria in bronchial aspirate.

A 65-year-old female was evaluated for suspected bronchogenic carcinoma. The chest x-ray revealed a left parahilar opacity with a raised left dome of diaphragm. Fiberbronchoscopy showed an oedematous and hyperemic left main bronchus but no growth was visualised. Bronchial biopsy did not show any evidence of neoplasm. However, the bronchial aspirate smear examination showed one microfilaria. Post bronchoscopic roentgenogram done on the next day revealed clearing of left parahilar shadow and a normal diaphragm. The patient responded well to 300 mg of diethylcarbamazine given in divided doses for 3 weeks.

Correlative study of histopathology and bacteriology in patients of tubercular lymphadenitis.

Histopathology as well as bacteriology of lymph node specimen are useful diagnostic tools for tuberculous lymphadenitis. In the present study, a total of 71 cases of lymphadenitis were selected for histopathological and bacteriological studies. Only 46 patients had caseating type and 4 had non-caseating type of tuberculous lymphadenitis while 21 patients revealed non-specific chronic lymphadenitis on histopathological examination. Only 6 lymph node smears were positive for acid fast bacilli (AFB), 19 cases were positive for mycobacterial culture growth. Thus, it is not necessary that the cases which are histopathologically positive will be positive for culture as well. Therefore, both bacteriology and histopathology are complimentary diagnostic tools for tuberculous lymphadenitis.