Isolated tonsillar sarcoidosis: a case report.

Tonsillar sarcoidosis can be seen as a part of generalized sarcoidosis or in isolation. Typical non-caseating granulomas are seen in the biopsy. We present a case of isolated tonsillar sarcoidosis masquerading as chronic tonsillitis in a young female.

Benign stromal fragments in metastases of squamous cell carcinoma in cytology--a report of two cases.

Benign stromal fragments or extracellular matrix can be seen in aspirates of invasive carcinomas. Although well documented on histology, this feature is rarely observed on fine needle aspirates and can create diagnostic difficulties on smears. Only three such cases have been reported so far. We report two more cases where stromal fragments were seen in association with invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Two cases of biopsy proved invasive SCC of the cheek and of the larynx presented with metastases to the submandibular salivary gland and to the cervical lymph node respectively. Aspirates of the metastatic sites showed two components: one of SCC and the other benign stroma, both in close approximation with one another. Both patients were treated with radiotherapy. Biopsy of the metastatic sites was not done. Benign stromal fragments can be encountered in aspirates of invasive carcinoma. These may be cellular or myxoid. Since such stromal fragments can also be seen in salivary tumours, adnexal tumours, fibroadenoma and phylloides tumour, their presence should be interpreted in the light of clinical findings of the patient, so that an erroneous diagnosis can be avoided.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: disease or sequel? A case report and review of theories regarding pathogenesis.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is an uncommon condition characterized by gas filled cysts within the bowel wall. We present a case of a 40-year old male who complained of abdominal pain and distension. The clinical diagnosis was intestinal obstruction and intraoperative impression was intestinal lymphangioma. The resected segment of the bowel showed multiple thin walled, tense, air-filled cysts on the serosal surface, which collapsed with a popping sound when pricked. The histologic diagnosis was pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis has varied clinical manifestations, course and outcome depending on its benign or fulminant form. There are varying theories regarding its pathogenesis and it is seen in association with a variety of diseases. Hence it should be interpreted with relevance to its entire clinical context, as it may not be a disease in itself but a sequel to other conditions.

Triple approach method for screening of contralateral breast in treated cases of breast cancer.

A prospective study of 50 cases of treated breast cancer was undertaken to evaluate the status of the contralateral breast by combined physical examination, mammographic screening and mammographically directed FNAB (triple approach method). This study was done to assess the frequency of synchronous (cancers that were simultaneously diagnosed with a tumour in ipsilateral breast) or metachronous (those that occurred in contralateral breast subsequent to first cancer and not detected at the time of treatment of first cancer) malignancy and/or presence of preneoplastic lesions in the contralateral breast. Six percent cases had palpable lump in contralateral breast (synchronous or metachronous), 10% of the cases showed mammographic abnormalities. Mammographically directed FNAB showed atypical/suspicious smears in 8% cases and malignancy in 2% cases, of which infiltrating duct carcinoma was the most frequent. In high-risk group patients triple approach method proved to be extremely important screening procedure for early detection of abnormalities in contralateral breast and helps in significantly reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with it.