Significance of bone marrow Trephine biopsy in the diagnosis of haematological and non-haematological disorders

To evaluate the frequency and document the histological pattern of various haematologic and non 'haematologic malignancies and infections, which can be diagnosed by Bone marrow trephine biopsy. A retrospective, cross sectional study was carried out at Histopathology department of Army Medical College Rawalpindi from January 2000 to December 2004. The bone marrow trephine biopsies were taken with Jamshidi's - type needle. The tissues were fixed in 10% formal- saline and then decalcified in 5% nitric acid. These were processed under standard conditions. A total of 789 cases with age range of 9 years to 75 years were studied during a period of five years. Majority of the cases showed male preponderance [69.83%] as compared to females [30.16%]. The most common histological findings in order of frequency were reactive changes [22.43%], unremarkable marrow [16.09%], inadequate biopsy [9.63%], megaloblastic anaemia [7.73%], acute leukaemia [6.21%], erythroid hyperplasia [5.95%]. The less common lesions were multiple myeloma [3.92%], lymphoproliferative disorders [3.80%], hypoplastic marrow [3.54%], chronic granulomatous inflammation [2.53%] and myelofibrosis [2.40%]. The miscellaneous group [5.70%] comprises rare diseases. Bone marrow trephine biopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of various types of infections and hematologic and non'hematologic malignancies. Majority of our patients showed reactive changes followed by acute leukaemia and erythroid hyperplasia. It has also been proved useful in detecting micrometastases when primary is not known with the other available diagnostic modalities

Usefulness of needle biopsy in the diagnosis of paediatric liver disorders

To see the usefulness of liver biopsy in the diagnosis and to document the spectrum of paediatric liver diseases. A retrospective, cross sectional survey at Histopathology department of Army Medical College Rawalpindi from January 2000 to December 2003. The liver biopsies were taken with Menghini needle. The fixed tissues were processed under standard conditions. During four years period, a total of 100 cases with age range of 1.5 months to 16 years were studied. The most common histological findings in order of frequency were secondary haemochromatosis [30%], biliary atresia [20%], storage disorders [16%], cirrhosis of liver [10%] and neonatal hepatitis [10%]. The less common entities were chronic hepatitis [6%], nonspecific reactive hepatitis [3%] and granulomatous hepatitis [1%]. One case each of hepatoblastoma, haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and congenital fibrosis was also noted. These findings have been compared with local and international histological studies. Liver biopsy is a useful diagnostic technique in the diagnosis of paediatric liver diseases. Biliary atresia, strorage disorders and neonatal hepatitis are the most common entities in our set up

Morphological Feature correlation with serum tumour markers in prostatic carcinoma

To find out Gleason grades, scores and to see the correlation of these morphological features with tumour markers in prostatic carcinoma. Design: A descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Departments of Histopathology and Chemical Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, over a period of one year. Materials and Fifty cases of prostatic carcinoma were studied. Gleason grades and score of tumour were determined by doing haematoxylin and eosin [H and E] staining. Pre-operative serum prostatic acid phosphatase [PAP] and prostate-specific antigen [PSA] assays were carried out in these cases. The patients seen were between 50-102 years of age with an average of 70.9 years. There were 49 cases of adenocarcinoma and 01 case of mixed adeno and transitional cell carcinoma of prostate. Twenty-eight [56%] patients had Gleason score of 5-7. Twenty-nine [58%] patients were having serum PSA levels between 10.0 ng/ml and 50.0 ng/ml. Thirteen [26%] cases showed PSA assays > 50 ng/ml. The sensitivity of PSA test was 84% in these cases. Thirty-five [70%] patients were having PAP values > 3.7 U/l [sensitivity 70%]. The Gleason grading system is a specific morphological predictor. The serum PSA showed better sensitivity and specificity with Gleason grades and scores as compared to serum PAP. The serum PAP levels showed better correlation with morphological features as compared to serum PSA