Gross Appearance of Fine Needle Aspiration Smears: Can Adequacy of the Sample be Assessed and Correlated with their Microscopic Cytological Yield.

Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple procedure that is widely accepted as a first-line investigation. It should ideally be performed near the patient with microscopic assessment for evaluation of adequacy of aspirate. Since this is not always possible, a worthwhile substitute is to assess the gross appearance of the material obtained. This study was aimed to determine the value of this alternative rapid, bed-side approach. Method: This study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital for a duration of 1 year, where 50 cases undergoing FNAC in the out-patient department (OPD) were included. Unstained smears of commonly encountered lesions were photographed and assessed by three independent observers, who graded them into four grades, viz. Grade 1: unlikely to contain diagnostic material. Grade 2: possibly contains diagnostic material. Grade 3: probably contains diagnostic material. Grade 4: material suggesting a specific diagnosis. Results were subsequently compared with the microscopic findings of stained smears. Results: Distribution of the 50 cases between grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 5, 6, 17, and 22, respectively. Conclusion: Gross appearances of FNA smears are helpful in predicting the adequacy of the sample and sometimes the final microscopic diagnosis. The cellularity of a sample can be gauged by inspection and sometimes a likely diagnosis can be made. Some lesions show typical gross appearance easily detected by the experienced eye so a likely diagnosis can be predicted prior to microscopic examination. However, near-patient microscopic assessment of FNA specimens for rapid onsite evaluation, if available, should be the preferred mode.

Pathology of thyroid in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The course of human immunodeficiency virus infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome can be complicated by a variety of endocrine abnormalities, including abnormalities of thyroid gland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was designed to understand the spectrum of pathology of thyroid in Indian patients with AIDS. The present study describes the findings of retrospective autopsy findings of 158 patients with AIDS which revealed infectious diseases from a time period before the use of highly active antiretroviral regimen. RESULTS: A wide range of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections were observed. Tuberculosis was recorded in 14 (09%) patients, Cryptococcus neoformans in 11 (7%) patients and cytomegalovirus in 3 (2%) patients. Hashimoto's thyroiditis and lymphocytic thyroiditis were seen in 02 (01%) patients each. One patient had dual infection comprising of tuberculosis and cytomegalovirus infection. The other microscopic findings observed were goiter (2 patients), interstitial fibrosis in thyroid (7 patients), and calcification in thyroid (8 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormalities of thyroid are uncommon findings in patients with HIV infection however several case reports of thyroid involvement by infectious agents and neoplasm are described in these patients; hence patients with HIV infection should be closely followed up for development of goiter or abnormalities of thyroid functions.

Routine histopathologic examination of two common surgical specimens-appendix and gallbladder: is it a waste of expertise and hospital resources?

This study was undertaken to assess whether a routine histopathologic examination of two common surgical specimens (appendix and gallbladder) is needed and whether routine histopathologic examination has an impact on further management of patients. Histopathology reports of patients who had undergone appendicectomy and cholecystectomy, between 2006 and 2010, were analyzed retrospectively in the department of pathology of a tertiary care hospital. The case notes were retrieved in all cases of malignancies. Patients having a clinical diagnosis or suspicion of malignancy were excluded. The incidence and impact of unexpected pathologic diagnosis on postoperative management were noted. The study period included a total of 1,123 and 711 appendicectomy and cholecystectomy specimens, respectively. Fifteen (1.336 %) cases of appendicectomy specimens revealed incidental unexpected pathological diagnoses, which included tubercular appendicitis (n = 2), parasite (n = 8), neuroma (n = 1), carcinoid (n = 2), pseudomyxoma (n = 1), and adenocarcinoma (n = 1). About 88 % of such unexpected appendiceal findings had an impact on postoperative treatment. Unexpected pathologic gallbladder findings were found in 12 (1.68 %) of 711 cholecystectomy specimens. In 6 (0.84 %) cases, gallbladder cancer (GBC) was detected. Additional further management was required in 50 % of patients with unexpected gallbladder findings. Twenty of the total 1,834 specimens (1.090 %) had an impact on patient management or outcome and were not suspected on macroscopic examination at the time of surgery. These would have been missed had the specimens not been examined microscopically. The intraoperative diagnosis of the surgeon is therefore sometimes doubtful in detecting abnormalities of the appendix and gallbladder. This study supports the sending of all appendicectomy and cholecystectomy specimens for routine histopathological examination. Appendix and gallbladder should undergo routine histopathological examination. This is important in patients with advanced age and gallstones. Also, it is of great value in identifying unsuspected conditions which require further postoperative management. Selectively sending specimens for histopathological examination can result in reduced workload on the histopathology department without compromising patient safety.

Paediatric intraventricular meningiomas. A report of two cases.

Meningiomas are rare in children comprising less than 3% of paediatric brain tumours and only 1.5-1.8% of all intracranial neoplasms. Intraventricular meningiomas (IVM) account for 0.5-5% of all meningiomas. They arise in the ventricles from arachnoid cap cells contained within the choroid plexus, the tela choroidea, or the velum interpositum. Paediatric tumours also show an association with neurofibromatosis type 2 and previous radiation exposure.We present two cases of intraventricular meningiomas, both in children. The age and site of the lesion in the two cases are uncommon. Excision of the lesions caused a total subsidence of the symptoms with no reported recurrences.

Solitary intramuscular cysticercosis-A report of two cases.

Cysticercosis, infestation with the encysted larval stage of Taenia solium, is a major health problem in most countries of Latin America, Asia, and Africa. It involves mainly the central nervous system. Muscle involvement is also seen, although it usually remains asymptomatic. Solitary intramuscular cysticercosis, without involvement of central nervous system is a rare entity. We present two cases of solitary intramuscular cysticercosis, without any systemic or neurologic manifestations.

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the cervical spine: A case report.

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS) is a rare tumour accounting for less than 1% of all chondrosarcomas. We report here, the case of a 30-year-old female who presented with neck pain, weakness and tingling and numbness starting on the right side and later involving all four limbs. MRI revealed an ill-defined neoplastic lesion showing specks of calcification and arising from the right half of C2 and C3 cervical vertebrae. Microscopy showed an admixture of well differentiated cartilage showing focal calcification and spindly cell areas having a hemangiopericytomatous pattern.

Right atrial appendage thrombus with atrial infarct in a case of thyrotoxicosis: an autopsy report.

Cardiac function has long been known to be altered in patients with thyrotoxicosis and atrial fibrillation occurs in patients with hyperthyroidism. In addition to its disabling symptoms, atrial fibrillation is a strong risk factor for systemic embolism, especially with regard to cerebral circulation. A right atrial appendage thrombus formation in atrial fibrillation is a rare phenomenon. In this report, we describe a case of a 30-year-old female, who suffered from hyperthyroidism and subsequently developed atrial fibrillation and a right atrial appendage thrombus with infarction of right atrial appendage.

Primary malignant melanoma of the mediastinum.

Primary malignant melanoma of mediastinum is extremely rare. Skin is the most common site for primary melanoma. However, it can occur at other sites like eye, oronasal mucosa and anorectal junction where melanin cells reside. Literature reveals primary melanomas in the oral cavity, oesophagus, gall bladder, uterus, genitourinary tract, meninges and thorax. We present a case report of a 32 years woman who presented with an anterior mediastinal melanoma.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells.

A case of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells is reported. This is an unusual malignant thyroid neoplasm with morphologic resemblance to giant cell tumor of bone. Light microscopy disclosed an undifferentiated carcinoma. Pleomorphic cells and tumour giant cells were accompanied by numerous osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells.