Idiopathic Lipoid Pneumonia: An incidental finding in autopsy specimen

Phosphorus is a nonmetallic irritant used in various sectors like rodenticide, firecracker industries, match industries, and fertilizers. Phosphorus poisoning is responsible for deaths among children and adults. Accidental yellow phosphorus poisoning is frequently reported in children, whereas suicidal consumption is not uncommon amongst adults. Herein, we present the case of a 30-year-old female patient who ingested Ratol paste containing yellow phosphorus in an attempt to commit suicide. Her initial chief complaints were nausea, vomiting along with loose motion during hospitalization, followed by a symptomless phase with stable vitals on the 2nd day, and managed conservatively. She took discharge against the medical advice. Later on, she was readmitted in the same hospital, after two days, complaining of generalized weakness, bodily pain, drowsiness, loss of appetite, and breathing difficulties. She developed severe complications due to the intoxication and died. An autopsy was performed. The histopathological and the toxicological examination were carried out. We found characteristic features in different organs due to yellow phosphorus toxicity. We concluded the cause of death as hepatic encephalopathy and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome caused by the yellow phosphorus poisoning.

Idiopathic Lipoid Pneumonia: An incidental finding in autopsy specimen.

Lipoid pneumonia is a rare form of pneumonia which was initially described to be caused by inhalation or aspiration of fatty substances. Certain autopsy studies have reported the incidence to be 1.0-2.5%. Based on the mode of lipid acquisition, it has been classified into endogenous, exogenous or idiopathic types. Almost 50% of the patients with lipoid pneumonia are asymptomatic, and may be discovered by chance during routine chest imaging. In symptomatic patients, the symptoms are non- specific. However, it can produce inflammatory pneumonitis that can progress to irreversible pulmonary fibrosis as seen in our case. We present a case of a 53-year-old deceased male. A piece of one of his lungs was received after autopsy, which appeared normal grossly. There was no history of any illness before death. Microscopy revealed interstitial fibrosis with collection of foamy macrophages in alveolar spaces and cholesterol crystals surrounded by inflammatory reaction including occasional giant cells. The clinical picture and radiologic changes in cases of lipoid pneumonia can mimic bacterial pneumonia and tuberculosis. The occupational history is of extreme importance and should always be investigated.

DNA Ploidy Analysis and Cell Block Immunohistochemistry in the Diagnosis of Malignant Effusions.

BACKGROUND: Effusion cytology is a major diagnostic tool in medicine and has both therapeutic and prognostic implications. One of the dilemmas encountered is the differentiation between atypical cells and reactive mesothelial cells. The use of ancillary tools can reduce this grey zone and help to achieve a definitive diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the role of flow cytometry (FCM) and cell block with immunohistochemistry (IHC), along with the clinicoradiological investigations, to achieve a final diagnosis in effusion cytology to the maximum extent possible. METHOD: A prospective study was conducted. Effusion fluids, showing adequate amount and cellularity, were processed for conventional cytology, ploidy analysis by FCM, and cell block analysis, followed by IHC wherever required. Conventional cytological analysis was done by 2 independent pathologists, to look for interobserver variation, if any. The final result was achieved on the basis of integration of the results of the aforementioned studies, cytological details, clinicoradiological information, tissue biopsy findings, and follow-up. RESULT: A total of 90 samples were analyzed. On cytological examination, observer I categorized 60% samples as benign and 18.8% (n = 17) as malignant versus 58% categorized as benign and 23.3% (n = 21) as malignant by observer II. Observer I reported 19 (21.1%) equivocal cases and observer II reported 16 (17.7%). When both pathologists were considered together, the number of equivocal cases increased to 20. Sensitivity and specificity of FCM were 96.67 and 100%, respectively, and 100% for the cell block. On combining all techniques, the equivocal cases were resolved and a total of 33 cases were reported as malignant. However, 3 cases could still not be categorized and were labeled inconclusive. CONCLUSION: Conventional cytology combined with cell block IHC and FCM has the potential to minimize the requirement of tissue biopsy for confirmation. If the first sample is used judiciously for all the techniques, this may reduce the requirement for a second sample and possibly also the time required for a definite diagnosis and the initiation of therapy.

Evaluation of role of alpha-methyl acyl-coenzyme A racemase/P504S and high molecular weight cytokeratin in diagnosing prostatic lesions.

BACKGROUND: In recent years basal cell markers (high molecular weight cytokeratin [HMWCK]) and prostate biomarker alpha-methyl acyl-coenzyme A racemase (AMACR) have been used as adjuvant to morphology in diagnostically challenging cases with a very high sensitivity and specificity. This has increased the diagnostic accuracy of prostate cancer worldwide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, total of 50 cases including 37 cases of malignant lesions and 13 cases of benign lesions of the prostate were taken. Tumor grade was determined according to Gleason's grading system. AMACR and HMWCK expressions were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The obtained results were analyzed and evaluated using Chi-square statistical test (SPSS version 20). RESULTS: AMACR was not expressed in any of the 13 cases of benign lesions of the prostate while in malignant lesions of prostate it was expressed in 33 of 37 (89.18%) cases. All 4 (100%) cases of well-differentiated carcinoma were positive for AMACR expression. 21 of 25 (84%) moderately differentiated and all 10 (100%) cases of poorly differentiated tumors were positive for AMACR. There was statistically significant difference in expression of AMACR between benign and malignant lesions of the prostate, indicated byP = 0.001. In benign lesions, HMWCK was expressed in all the 13 (100%) cases while in malignant lesions of prostate it was not expressed in any of the (0%) case. All 13 benign lesions were positive for HMWCK only. AMACR expression was not seen in any of the benign lesion. Out of 37 malignant cases, 4 cases were negative for both, 33 cases were positive only for AMACR, but no case was positive only for HMWCK. CONCLUSIONS: As an adjunct to biopsy, AMACR and HMWCK have value for resolving diagnostically challenging cases.

Frontal bone metastasis from an occult follicular thyroid carcinoma: Diagnosed by FNAC.

Metastatic deposits in skull bones from follicular thyroid carcinoma is rare, and metastatic disease in skull being the presenting symptom without obvious thyroid lesion (occult primary) is even rarer. A 60-year-old female patient presented with a mass in the frontal region of the skull. Fine needle aspiration cytology was done which revealed an adenocarcinoma with repeated follicular pattern, reminiscent of follicular neoplasm of thyroid, which on immunocytochemistry revealed positivity for thyroglobulin. Patient was investigated further for primary thyroid malignancy, and imaging revealed a nodule in the left lobe of thyroid. Neuroimaging showed osteolytic lesion involving the cranium.

Evaluation profile of thyroid nodule by fnac in the rural population of khanpur kalan, sonepat, haryana.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid disease is most common endocrine disorder and is different from other endocrine diseases because of its visible swelling and ease of diagnosis. If left untreated, thyroid disease makes a person more prone for heart disease, infertility and osteoporosis. In India, significant burden of thyroid diseases exist with an estimation of around 42 million cases. The thyroid status and autoimmune status of adult Indian population in the post iodinization phase is largely unknown. AIM: The main objective of this study was to generate valuable epidemiological data regarding the prevalence of thyroid disorders in rural population of Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat in the post-iodinisation era in India. To assess whether thyroid autoimmunity or goitrogens along with environmental factors play role in the development of thyroid.This paper is being presented in view that no such study has been carried out in the rural population of this region in Haryana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted in Department of Pathology, Bhagat Phool Singh Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat between August 2011 to July 2013. It included retrospective analysis of cytomorphology of fine needle aspiration cytology material of 206 patients presenting with thyroid nodule in the Department of Pathology. RESULTS: The commonest age group affected was 31-40 yrs. The female patients (93.4%) outnumbered the male patients (6.6%).The cytomorphological analysis of 206 patients revealed 190 cases (92.2%) of neoplastic lesions, 10 cases (4.8%) were neoplastic and 6 cases (2.9%) had indeterminate cytomorphology. Maximum number (65.5%) of patients was suffering with goiter followed by lymphocytic thyroiditis (26.2%). Amongst the malignant cases three cases were of papillary carcinoma and one case of medullary carcinoma. Two out of the six cases of follicular neoplasm proved to be follicular adenoma on histopathology. Four patients with high T3 levels were under treatment with neomercazole. They showed change in cytomorphology from hyperplasia to colloid goiter. Only one case of acute suppurative thyroiditis was reported which shows rarity of its type. CONCLUSION: The increased prevalence of goiter in this post iodinisation era can be attributed to goitrogens, autoimmune thyroid disease and micronutrient deficiency of iron and selenium. Higher prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in females is linked with both genetic and environmental factors such as infection, stress.

Leukaemic pleural effusion as a manifestation of acute myeloid leukaemia: a case report and review of literature.

Haematologic malignancies such as acute and chronic leukaemias rarely present with or develop pleural effusion during their clinical course. We present a case of a young female who presented with unilateral pleural effusion and was diagnosed with haematologic malignancy on pleural fluid cytology. On further workup, a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia was established. The patient was put on chemotherapy thereafter. This case clearly highlights the importance of cytopathology aids in making a diagnosis of rare and unusual presentation in haematologic malignancies.

Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology.

Sebaceous carcinoma of the ocular adnexa is a malignant neoplasm which has aggressive local behavior and can metastasize to regional lymph nodes and distant organs. It is a malignant neoplasm known to masquerade as other benign and less malignant lesions, resulting in delay in diagnosis and relatively high morbidity and mortality. Aspiration cytological features of this neoplasm have not been well characterized in the literature. We report a case of this tumor diagnosed on fine needle aspiration. Clinically, a diagnosis of chalazion was made and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed. Cytological diagnosis of a malignant tumor with closest resemblance to sebaceous carcinoma was suggested which was confirmed on histopathology. Eyelid reconstruction was done after histopathological confirmation of tumor-free margins. The article highlights the role of FNAC in early diagnosis and subsequent appropriate surgical management of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma to prevent recurrence and metastasis.

Oral cysticercosis-a rare presentation.

Cysticercosis is a condition that occurs when man is infected with larvae of Taenia solium. Oral cysticercosis is a rare event, and it represents difficulty in clinical diagnosis. A case of oral cysticercosis in 11 year old girl is presented which complained of painless swelling for 6 months. A FNAC was performed which revealed bluish pink fibrillary material and interspersed nuclei and fragments of wall of larvae. Patient was treated with antihelminthic.

Hidradenoma papilliferum of the vulva: case report and review of literature.

Hidradenoma papilliferum (HP) is a rare, small, benign, cystic, papillary, slow growing tumor occurring in anogenital region of adult women. The authors describe a case of large, rapidly enlarging HP of vulva in a 25-year-old woman and review the literature available on this rare condition.

Is it renal colic or ruptured dissecting aneurysm of renal artery?: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: The dissecting aneurysm of renal artery is a form of renal artery occlusive disease that is infrequently recognized in the literature. However, when encountered, it is of great clinical significance because symptoms related to aneurysm are rarely seen and there is risk of its rupture. CASE PRESENTATION: The present case was a 30 year old Indian male, who presented with recurrent episodes of pain mimicking renal colic, which turned out to be a ruptured dissecting aneurysm of renal artery on exploration. The patient could not be salvaged due to delay in the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This report highlights that rupture of renal artery aneurysm is a rare but potentially lethal clinical entity and should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis in patients with severe and persistent renal colicky type of pain in the absence of obvious findings on routine investigations.

Transferrin receptor expression in reactive and neoplastic lesions of lymphnodes.

Transferrin, the major iron binding protein in human plasma transports iron to various tissues. The first step in cellular iron uptake is binding of transferrin complex to the cell surface membrane by specific molecule known as transferrin receptors. Transferrin receptors are found in limited sites in normal tissues, in contrast, the receptors are widely distributed in majority of carcinomas and sarcomas. Presence of increased transferrin receptors implies a stage of moderate or less differentiation corresponding to elevated proliferative activity and therefore, has a prognostic value. Demonstration of transferrin receptors and its distribution pattern within a tumour as well as its quantitative determination can provide data helpful for, both, an additional understanding of tumour biology and as an approach for planning therapy. In present study, we analysed 60 cases, 30 each of reactive lymphadenitis and lymphomas for transferrin receptors using immunohistochemical technique (DAKO, Code-K0673). Grade II and Grade III intensity was recorded in the germinal centers and the histiocytes in sinus histocytosis indicating the proliferating cells and activated histocytes. Most of the low grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas (83.66%) showed weak (Grade I) positivity for transferrin receptors. Intermediate grade lymphomas showed moderate (Grade II) to high intensity (Grade III) for transferrin receptors (57.14% and 42.85%) respectively. Seventy five percent of high grade lymphomas showed strong (Grade III) positivity. All the 9 cases of Hodgkin lymphoma (100%) showed grade III positivity. Proportion of the cells within a tumour expressing transferrin receptors in high density are therefore likely to represent the growth fraction of the tumour.

Immunohistochemical study of the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and prostatic carcinoma.

The present study provides an analysis of immunohistochemical expression and localization of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in formalin fixed paraffin embedded specimens of prostate. Thirty-five cases each of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostatic carcinoma and 30 cases of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) were taken up for study. Streptavidin biotin peroxidase method was employed for immunohistochemical staining. EGFR positivity was observed in all the cases (100%) of BPH and PIN and in only 10 cases (28.5%) of prostatic carcinoma. In both BPH and PIN the basal cells revealed significantly higher intensity and percentage cell positivity than the luminal cells. Intensity and percentage of positively stained basal cells in BPH was higher than PIN basal cells but the difference was not statistically significant. The intensity and percentage cell positivity of BPH basal cells and PIN basal and luminal cells were significantly greater than the epithelial cells of prostatic carcinoma. Presently, the significance of variable expression of EGFR in various types of prostatic lesions is unknown.

Pulmonary chondroid hamartoma with unusual presentation.

Large-sized pulmonary chondroid hamartomas are very uncommon. We report a case of a 40-year-old male patient with a large sized chondroid hamartoma occupying almost the whole of one hemithorax, presenting with superior vena caval obstruction, left vocal cord palsy and adrenal involvement.