Angiotropic melanocytes: Possibly a distinctive finding in extra-facial acquired dermal melanocytosis

Background: Acquired dermal melanocytosis is a heterogenous group of hyperpigmented lesioins which predominantly involve the face. Aim: The aim of this study was to study the clinical presentation and histopathology of cases with extra-facial acquired dermal melanocytosis. Methods: Retrospective record analysis was performed between May 2016 to August 2019 to retrieve cases of extra-facial acquired dermal melanocytosis seen at the out-patient department of dermatology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur. Consecutive cases with histopathologically proven diagnosis of acquired dermal melanocytosis were included. Documentation of variation in clinical presentation and histopathologic findings was done in light of the existing literature. Results: Overall, four cases of extra-facial acquired dermal melanocyosis (female:male = 1:3) were seen during the study period. The lone case on head and neck involved the ear lobule and peri-auricular area. The other three cases had involvement of the hand. The histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of dermal melanocytosis but revealed peculiar findings of angiotropic melanocytes and dilated capillaries. Limitations: Small sample size and lack of comparison with perilesional normal skin were the limitations of this study. Conclusion: The findings of angiotropic melanocytes may be unique to extra-facial acquired dermal melanocytosis. This might indicate interaction between dermal melanocytes and capillary endothelial cells. This finding along with dermal capillary ectasia may indicate a possible role for vascular lasers in the management of these disorders

Cervical Thymic Cyst with parathyroid tissue - a diagnostic conundrum

Cervical thymic cysts are relatively rare benign cystic lesions that tend to be diagnosed clinically as branchial cysts, which usually present as painless, enlarging neck masses. They can occur anywhere along the normal path of descent of thymic primordia from the angle of the mandible to the sternal notch, with mediastinal extension observed in approximately 50% of cases. They are usually seen in the first decade of life on the left side with a male predominance. Here we report a case of a 15-year-old boy who presented to the hospital with left-sided neck swelling for about 2 months. The neck's contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed a large, well-defined cystic swelling in the left neck region, showing peripheral enhancement, seen from the submandibular region to the superior mediastinum extending into the retrosternal region. Direct fine needle aspiration (FNA) was done, which showed a benign lesion with inflammatory and cystic characteristics, leading to the possibility of a branchial cyst. The cyst was completely excised surgically. Histopathology showed a thymic cyst with parathyroid tissue. The presence of thymic tissue with Hassall's corpuscles is essential for the diagnosis. Knowledge of the clinical presentation, cyto-histological findings, and differential diagnosis of cystic cervical lesions in the pediatric population is important to diagnose this rare entity. Hence, though uncommon, when one comes across a cystic cervical region mass in children, a diagnosis of cervical thymic cyst should be kept in mind. Nonetheless, a definitive diagnosis depends on imaging findings as well as intraoperative findings and histopathological examination.

Neuroendocrine tumors of the urinary bladder - Report of two cases

Primary paraganglioma and small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary bladder are rare tumors, comprising 0.05% of all bladder tumors and <1% of all malignant bladder tumors, respectively. These tumors can be the cause of a diagnostic dilemma or misdiagnosis on morphology. Paraganglioma is often mistaken for urothelial carcinoma and small cell carcinoma for poorly differentiated carcinoma or lymphoma. Herein, we report a case of primary paraganglioma and another of a small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder and discuss their closest differential diagnoses. The diagnostic pitfalls should be kept in mind so that correct, timely diagnosis of these entities can be made due to implications in the management and prognosis.

Renal angiomyolipoma with epithelial cyst

Angiomyolipoma with epithelial cysts (AMLEC) is a recently described entity and is an uncommon subtype of kidney angiomyolipomas. AMLEC is a benign entity but usually masquerades a renal cell carcinoma on imaging examination. AMLEC has a distinct histological and immunohistochemical staining pattern, which helps in the pathological diagnosis. We present a rare case of AMLEC in a 26-year-old female, which was provisionally diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma on radiology. We also summarize the differential diagnosis of this rare variant, its characteristic features, and a review of the literature.

Metaplastic breast carcinoma with extensive osseous differentiation

Metaplastic breast carcinoma is a rare subtype of invasive breast carcinoma. Metaplastic carcinoma with osseous differentiation is exceptionally uncommon. Because of the heterogenous microscopy of the lesion, various clinical and radiological features are observed, leading to diagnostic difficulty. Herein, we present a case of a 43-year-old female with a recurrent breast lump, who was clinically diagnosed as a phyllodes tumor. However, histopathological examination revealed metaplastic carcinoma with extensive osseous differentiation.

Villous adenoma of the renal pelvis: a common entity at an uncommon location

Villous adenoma is uncommonly seen in the urogenital tract and is even more rarely seen in the upper urinary tract and renal pelvis. Like colorectal adenomas, these neoplasms can transform into adenocarcinoma. The preoperative diagnosis is challenging due to their frequent association with hydronephrosis. Herein, we present the case of a villous adenoma of the renal pelvis in a 62-year-old man presenting with recurrent urinary tract infection. The computed tomography scan showed marked hydronephrosis but no suspicious mass in the right kidney. A laparoscopic right nephrectomy was performed. Gross examination revealed a dilated renal pelvis with an irregular exophytic lesion in the renal pelvis's upper surface. The histopathological examination showed slender, elongated villi with thin fibrovascular cores, consistent with villous adenoma morphology. Isolated villous adenomas have a favorable prognosis. However, the pathologist should undertake a search for an invasive component.

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma with tumor thrombus in IVC and right atrium

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma is an uncommon subtype of renal angiomyolipoma associated with potentially malignant behavior and is considered a distinct entity by the World Health Organization classification of renal tumors. We present a case of an epithelioid variant of angiomyolipoma with extension into the renal vein, inferior vena cava reaching up to the right atrium. Pre-operatively, a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma was considered based on imaging findings. Intra-operatively due to extensive adhesions, surgical resection was not performed and only tissue sampling was performed for histopathology. Microscopic examination revealed short fascicles of spindle cells and perivascular epithelioid cells. A differential diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation was considered. The immunohistochemical profile showed tumor cells that express Melan-A and smooth muscle actin, while they were negative for pan-cytokeratin, PAX8, CK7, CD117 and CD34. Therefore a diagnosis of epithelioid angiomyolipoma was rendered. The presence of intravascular thrombi on radiological investigation and carcinoma-like growth pattern on light microscopy may compound an erroneous diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. Hence, it is prudent for the urologist to consider differential diagnosis other than renal cell carcinoma when confronted with a renal neoplasm presenting with intravascular thrombi. In these cases, a core biopsy should be planned pre-operatively and diagnosis should be made with aid of appropriate immunohistochemical markers.

A prospective study of cervical lesions diagnosed by liquid based cytology in Western Rajasthan, India population

Background: Carcinoma cervix is the second most common malignancy of women in India after breast cancer. The present study was conducted to determine the spectrum of cervical lesions by liquid-based cytology in Western Rajasthan population.Methods: It is a Prospective study on 1087 cervical samples carried over a period of 1 year. Cervical samples were taken and processed by SurePath™ LBC.Results: Of total 1087 cases 959 were negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (88.22%). 88 cases (8.09%) were reported as unsatisfactory. Among the non- neoplastic cases- bacterial vaginosis was reported in 209 cases (21.8%), Candida in 77 cases (8.02%), both Candida and bacterial vaginosis in 12 cases (1.25%), reactive cellular changes in 193 cases (20.12%), and Trichomonas vaginalis in 01 case. Among pre-malignant and malignant lesions, 40 cases (4.17%) the distribution was as follows-atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance 16(1.67%), atypical squamous cell-cannot rule out high grade 08 cases (0.83%), Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion 04 cases (0.42%), high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion 07 cases (0.73%), Atypical glandular cell favoring neoplastic 01 case (0.15%), and squamous cell carcinoma 04 cases (0.42%). Histopathological co-relation of premalignant and malignant lesions was further studied.Conclusions: Liquid based cytology is an effective screening and diagnostic procedure for cervical abnormalities. Among pre-malignant and malignant lesions, histo-pathological correlation increased with increased grade of severity of lesions. To the best of knowledge, this is the largest study of liquid based cytology in the Western Rajasthan.