A rare case of primary female urethral adenocarcinoma: Columnar type with colonic adenocarcinoma features.

Female urethral carcinoma is extremely rare and accounts for 0.02% of all women's cancers and <1% of cancers in the female genitourinary tract. Adenocarcinoma accounts for only 10% of urethral carcinomas in females. Due to their location, presentation is usually late and tumors are often missed on physical examination. As in this case, nonspecific symptoms in the early stages may delay the diagnosis in most patients. Herein, we present an extremely rare case of the columnar type of primary female urethral adenocarcinoma exhibiting colonic adenocarcinoma features which to the authors' best knowledge has not been reported to date. The present study emphasizes the importance of a careful clinical examination and also highlights the role of imaging studies, and biopsy in making an accurate preoperative diagnosis of this rare disease. The disease may have devastating sequelae due to local and metastatic involvement if not recognized and treated earlier.

Invasive Fungal Infection in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Associated with Myeloid Sarcoma of the Sinonasal Cavity: A Rare Case.

Myeloid sarcoma is a rare malignant extramedullary neoplasm of myeloid precursor cells. The majority of these cases occur in patients with known leukemia or those who eventually develop the disease. It can occur in various sites but sinonasal cavity involvement along with invasive fungal infection is exceedingly rare.

Primary plasma cell leukemia: A report of two cases of a rare and aggressive variant of plasma cell myeloma with the review of literature.

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare and aggressive variant of myeloma accounting for 2-3% of all plasma cell dyscrasias characterized by the presence of circulating plasma cells. The diagnosis is based on the % (≥20%) and absolute number (≥2x10 9 /L) of plasma cells in the peripheral blood. The incidence of primary PCL (pPCL) is very rare and reported to occur in <1 in a million. It is classified as either pPCL occurring at diagnosis or as secondary PCL in patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma. pPCL is a distinct clinicopathological entity with different cytogenetic and molecular findings. The clinical course is aggressive with short remissions and survival duration. We report two cases of pPCL, both having acute onset of illness, varied clinical presentation with one of them showing "hairy cell morphology," with rapidly progressing renal failure, and was not suspected to be plasma cell dyscrasia clinically. A detailed hematopathological evaluation clinched the diagnosis in this case. It is recommended that techniques such as immunophenotyping by flow cytometry and protein electrophoresis must be performed for confirmatory diagnosis. A detailed report of two cases and a review of PCL are presented here.

Endometrial aspiration cytology by various techniques.

The demand for testing endometrium for detecting pathological as well as hormonal status is increasing and cytodiagnosis is extended very rapidly in malignant and non-malignant conditions. The gynaecologists have responded to this trend by providing cost effective care without compromising the quality. With this in mind, uterine aspiration curettage, ambulatory procedure, for endometrial sampling was studied. Dilatation and curettage (D&C) is probably most commonly performed gynaecological surgery. It accounts for large proportion of hospital bed use and operating room time, the cost is significant and patient also risks the complication of anaesthesia. Consequently various alternative procedures for endometrial sampling like endometrial brush, uterine lavage, jet wash vabra aspiration and endometrial biopsy have been reported.

Postmortem diagnosis of acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis.

Forensic pathologists can help in the investigation of sudden unexpected deaths in co-operation with the officials responsible for the maintenance of law and order to administer justice. Sudden unexpected deaths form the subject of medicolegal investigation if they occur in apparently healthy individuals, wherein an autopsy would shed light regarding the cause of death. A 4 year retrospective review of autopsy files at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, South India was undertaken for cases of sudden unexpected deaths due to acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis occurring between May 2004 and April 2008. A total of seven cases of acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis diagnosed at autopsy as the cause of sudden unexpected death during the study period are discussed herein.

Neuronal hypertrophy and mast cells in histologically negative, clinically diagnosed acute appendicitis: a quantitative immunophenotypical analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: In about 20-25% of appendicectomies performed for clinically suspected acute appendicitis, definite morphological changes are lacking on histopathological examination. The present study was done to investigate whether any changes in neurons and mast cells could be detected in patients presenting with clinical acute appendicitis but found to have normal appendix at histopathology. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted on 50 appendix specimens which were categorized as histology-positive acute appendicitis (HPAA), clinically acute appendicitis but histologically negative (HNAA), appendices resected for other causes and appendices from forensic autopsy. A morphometric and quantitative evaluation of nerve fibers and ganglion plexus and its relation to mast cell density were studied. All sections were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin stain, toluidine blue stain, S 100 protein and neuron specific enolase (NSE) immunostaining and a quantitative image analysis system. RESULTS: Mucosal and submucosal neuronal components highlighted by NSE and S100 immunostaining observed in cases of HNAA were comparable to cases of HPAA. With S 100 immunostaining in HNAA cases, the increase in number and size of myentric neuronal plexus were mild in 40% (10/25) cases, moderate in 40% (10/25) and marked in 20% (5/25) cases as compared to 66.7% (10/15) cases of HPAA showing moderate and 33.3% (5/15) cases showing marked increase (p = 0.018). The mean mast cell count was highest in the HNAA cases (2.74) in all the four layers as compared to the HPAA (1.85) and control group (2.05). There was no difference in the relationship of the size of ganglion cells and the mast cell concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Neuronal hypertrophy and mast cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of appendicitis-like pain in patients with histologically normal appendices.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of lung type 1.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, a rare developmental, hamartomatous abnormality of the lung, usually is unilateral, is localized, and presents in early infancy. Delayed occurrence in older children and multilobar involvement are rare. We describe a case of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation type 1 with multilobar involvement, associated emphysema, and coexistent tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica in an adolescent girl for whom the correct diagnosis was achieved only on histologic examination. The importance of an accurate diagnosis of this entity enables proper subtyping, management to minimize the risk of infections and malignancy, and exclusion of associated malformations.

Megakaryocytic alterations in thrombocytopenia: a bone marrow aspiration study.

CONTEXT: Dysplastic changes are well documented in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, they are also observed in non-MDS hematological conditions. AIMS: To evaluate the megakaryocytic alterations in the bone marrow aspirations in cases of non-MDS related thrombocytopenia. SETTING AND DESIGN: A prospective study of 144 bone marrow aspirates was conducted in the department of pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. The aspirates were studied to assess the number and morphology of the megakaryocytes in non-MDS related thrombocytopenia and evaluate their significance when compared to changes in MDS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bone marrow aspiration smears were stained with Leishman stain and examined under light microscope. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Fisher's exact test. A P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Sensitivity and specificity was calculated for those features which were significant in the relevant hematological disorders. RESULTS: The sensitivity of immature megakaryocytes, dysplastic forms and micromegakaryocytes in cases of immune thrombocytopenic purpura was 100%, 89% and 42% respectively. The specificity of emperipolesis was 74%. In cases of infection-associated thrombocytopenia, immature megakaryocytes had a sensitivity of 100% and cytoplasmic vacuolization were 86% specific. The sensitivity of the dysplastic forms in megaloblastic anemia was 75%. However, no platelet budding was observed. The presence of micromegakaryocyte had a specificity of 83% in MDS, and was statistically significant when compared to cases of non-MDS conditions (P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Careful understanding of the morphological changes of megakaryocytes in bone marrow aspirates can improve the diagnostic accuracy for a wide range of hematological disorders thereby enabling proper therapeutic interventions.

Coexistent gastric primary choriocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

Choriocarcinomas are commonly gestational and intrauterine or gonadal in origin. Nongestational and extragonadal disease, especially in the stomach is extremely rare with a poorer prognosis and early metastasis. We herein describe a case of primary gastric choriocarcinoma with liver metastasis in a 69-year-old male. The patient presented with abdominal pain and irregular bowel habits of one month duration. Both endoscopic and radiographic imaging revealed an ulcerated and necrotic circumferential tumor in the pyloric antrum of the stomach. The histopathologic findings of the resected tumor were that of an extensively necrotic and hemorrhagic neoplasm with combined choriocarcinomatous and adenocarcinomatous element. A strongly positive immunohistochemical staining for beta- subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) in the choriocarcinomatous component and a proper correlation with elevated serum beta-HCG levels confirmed the diagnosis.

Bone marrow biopsy in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a morphological study.

CONTEXT: Bone marrow (BM) biopsy is an integral part of staging work-up for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). AIMS: To study the characteristics of BM involvement in NHL with respect to incidence, histologic pattern and morphology of infiltration and its discordance with the histology of primary anatomic site. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Forty-nine cases of NHL in which BM biopsy was performed for staging were included in this study, the primary site being classified according to the WHO classification for NHL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 49 cases was conducted. Bilateral BM biopsy was obtained from the posterior superior iliac spine. The biopsies were fixed in 10% buffered formalin solution and decalcified using 10% formal - formic acid for 4 - 6 h followed by routine processing. The serial sections were stained by hematoxylin and eosin and reticulin stains. RESULTS: BM biopsy showed involvement by lymphoma in 27 cases (55.10%). Unilateral positivity was found in four cases (14.81% cases). The overall incidence of marrow involvement by NHL was 55.1%. The incidence of involvement was higher in T-cell lymphomas when compared with B-cell lymphomas and predominant pattern of involvement was mixed. Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas had the lowest incidence in all the B-cell lymphomas. A discordant histology between BM and primary anatomic site was found in 29.63% (8/27) of the cases, where it was seen more in follicular lymphomas and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. CONCLUSIONS: Critical examination of BM biopsies can increase the diagnostic accuracy, thereby contributing to the prognosis and appropriate treatment modalities.

A fetal autopsy case of body stalk anomaly.

Body stalk anomaly (BSA) is a sporadic polymalformative syndrome incompatible with extrauterine life. In utero detection of BSA by two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging has been well documented. We herein describe a case of body stalk anomaly diagnosed at autopsy. The fetus had a large anterior midline abdominal wall defect with eventration of the visceral organs into the amnio-peritoneal sac and a completely absent umbilical cord. The associated anomalies included club foot, absent diaphragm, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal defects. The observed congenital anomalies supported the theory of embryonic dysgenesis as the etiologic factor. One of the major objectives in the performance of fetal autopsy is to be able to detect abnormalities that can have implications in future pregnancies. Despite the negligible familial recurrence rate of the broad spectrum of anomalies associated with this abdominal wall defect, the present case of fetal autopsy indeed delights to serve the living.

Orbital melanocytoma.

PURPOSE: To report a case of intermediate grade meningeal melanocytoma presenting as a recurrent orbital mass. INTRODUCTION: Melanocytomas are rare, primary, pigmented tumors of the central nervous system, usually presenting as well-circumscribed, encapsulated, solid masses in the posterior cranial fossa and at the spinal region, often attached to the underlying dura. Orbital manifestation is rarely encountered. METHODS: Case report with computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, histology, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A 40-year-old man presented with a recurrent orbital mass manifesting as progressive proptosis of the right eye of 4 years duration. The computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intraconal mass in the superior quadrant of the orbit. Histological analysis of the excision biopsy of the mass showed a highly cellular, locally infiltrating melanocytic neoplasm suggestive of an intermediate grade meningeal melanocytoma. Immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein and HMB-45 monoclonal antibody confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent intermediate grade orbital melanocytomas are rarely encountered and have to be distinguished from other topographically similar primary melanotic tumors. They have to be managed more aggressively if intracranial extension is present due to its close relation to the visual pathways.

Morphometric evaluation of endometrial blood vessels.

Five hundred endometrial specimens were studied to document the changes in blood vessels in various phases of menstrual cycle, menstrual disturbances and in unexplained infertility. Sixty-three cases were taken as control and 437 cases as study group which included cases of dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), endometrial polyps, fibroids, adenomyosis, infertility and atrophic endometrium. Using light microscopy, the vascular morphology was studied. The blood vessels were concentrated more in basal layer in the proliferative phase and in functional layer in the secretory phase. Cases of complex hyperplasia and pill endometrium had significantly higher vessel concentration. Congestion and dilatation of blood vessels were significantly higher in cases of DUB. The present study showed a positive correlation between endometrial angiogenesis and menstrual disorders. The alteration in blood vessel morphology has significant role in prognosis and in various anti-angiogenic therapies.

Bilateral angiosarcoma breast diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology.

Concurrent or synchronous angiosarcoma (AS) of breast is a rarity. Specific recognition of this neoplasm in cytological specimens is difficult and conclusive diagnosis in the absence of ancillary methods is achieved only uncommonly. Herein, we present a case of bilateral AS of breasts in a 32-year-old lady diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology, thus enabling a definitive surgical approach. This case report emphasizes that when aspiration smears show vasoformative features consisting of microacini, arborizing microtissue fragments and intracytoplasmic lumen against a bloody background, diagnosis can be made conclusively by FNA with immunohistochemical confirmation.

Microwave histoprocessing versus conventional histoprocessing.

The aim of the study is to compare the histologic quality of the microwave histoprocessing with that of conventional method and to determine its positive impact on turnaround times and reduction of costs of tissue processing. One hundred and eighty-five paired tissue sections from different organs were taken. Each tissue sections were of size of 15 mm x 10 mm x 3 mm and divided into two; one set as experimental group and the other as control group. The tissues in the experimental group were further divided into six groups and processed by vacuum-microwave method according to six protocols from I to VI. Other tissues in the control group were processed by the conventional method and compared. Overall, the quality of microscopic tissue from both the methods was identical. Microwave processing shortened the time of processing without compromising the overall quality of the histologic section and was cost-effective.

Impact of an increase in grading categories and double reporting on the reliability of breast cancer grade.

The present study illustrates the effect of using the consolidated total score (obtained on a 7-point scale by adding the tubular, nuclear and mitotic scores) as well as double reporting on the interobserver reliability of breast cancer grading by the Nottingham method. 50 consecutive breast cancer slides were graded independently by 5 pathologists. The interobserver reliability between the individual pathologists for final grade, total score and grade components was estimated by quadratic weighted kappa (k(w)). Similarly, the inter-observer reliability of double reported scores (obtained by averaging the reported scores of two independent pathologists) for independent observer pairs was estimated. The total scores gave higher reliability figures than the final grade both for individual pathologists and double reported scores. The double reported total scores and grade also gave significantly higher reliability figures than the individual scores and grade (average k(w)=0.65 and 0.78 for the individual and double reported total scores, respectively; 0.61 and 0.66 for the individual and double reported grades).Therefore, use of total scores in addition to grade as well as double reporting of the same significantly increases the interobserver reliability of breast cancer grading.

Endometrial aspiration cytology in dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

Aspiration cytology is a safe simple and reliable technique without any complication This can be used as a safe and reliable out patient procedure with minimum discomfort to the patient. The use of a cannula as a device for endometrial aspiration provides adequate material for cytological examination. So the present study was undertaken, to assess the ease of collection of endometrial material and to assess the relative compatibility of aspiration cytology and histopathology.

Cytomorphology of subcutaneous panniculitic T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL)--a case report.

T cell lymphomas account for approximately 60% of cutaneous lymphomas. The annual incidence of cutaneous lymphoma is estimated to be from 0.5 to 1 per 1,00,000 persons per year. We present one case of cutaneous lymphoma, an eighteen year old male who presented with multiple swellings all over the body of one month duration. On examination, multiple, subcutaneous, mobile, non tender nodules were seen ranging from 0.5 cm to 5 cm in diameter. FNAC revealed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma morphologically in favour of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. A biopsy and immunohistochemistry confirmed SPTCL.