A Rare Case of Stage IV Mixed Neuroendocrine Small Cell and Adenosquamous Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder.

Gallbladder (GB) carcinoma is the fifth most common type of gastrointestinal cancer. Although a majority of these cancers are found to be adenocarcinomas, we present a rare case in which the GB carcinoma was found to have mixed histology with both small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and adenosquamous cell carcinoma.

Toward realization of remote controlled telecytopathology-a validation study from a large academic medical center from the southeast United States.

INTRODUCTION: With increase in the number and types of biopsies requiring rapid on-site evaluation for adequacy, telecytopathology is one of the solutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a microscope camera with MS Surface Pro, a live telecytopathology audio video feed for the adequacy of 55 study set validation cases was sent over Zoom from the satellite hospital over 10 miles away with cytopathologists at the main hospital. The study set cases included Diff-Quik-stained smears and core imprints. RESULTS: The overall percent of positive agreement (accuracy) for adequacy during rapid on-site evaluation via telecytopathology was 96%. Core imprint percentage for positive agreement was slightly higher (96.2%), than fine-needle aspiration smears (95.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Use of telecytopathology is the best solution for optimizing the cytopathologist's time for evaluating biopsy adequacy from distant sites.

Suitability of Placental Blood Samples of Newborns for Pre-Transfusion Testing.

Objective: To show concordance between heel stick and placental blood sample pairs for newborns' pre-transfusion testing and to validate placental blood's tube and gel methodology. Methods: Placental samples were collected for pre-transfusion testing at birth from 78 singleton and twin newborns admitted to our Mother-Baby Unit to compare with the results of heel stick samples taken from same newborns. Gestational age ≥35 weeks, weight ≥2,000 g. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Informed consent was obtained from newborn parents. ABO blood group, Rhesus factor (Rh), direct antiglobulin test (DAT), and antibody screen were performed. Ortho ProVue Analyzer was used for tube and gel methods. McNemar's test for paired categorical data was performed. Results: One hundred percent concordance in 78 pairs for ABO and Rh. Seventy-four pairs were tested for antibodies, 72 were both negative, 1 was both positive, and 1 gave discordant result. Ninety-nine percent concordance, p = 0.999. Sixty-five pairs were both DAT negative, seven were both DAT positive, and six gave discordant results. Ninety-two percent concordance, p = 0.68. Placental blood gave identical results comparing tube with gel methods. Conclusions: Placental blood is suitable for pre-transfusion testing and can replace heel sticks. Placental blood tube and gel methods are validated.

Cavernous hemangiomatous polyp of uterus: A report of case and review of literature.

Cavernous hemangiomatous polyp of uterus is a rare vascular malformation of the uterus. Common sites of malformation in uterine wall include serosa, myometrium, and endometrium and most common presentation is diffuse involvement of uterus. Patients usually present with obstetric and gynecological complications ranging from menorrhagia, intermenstrual bleeding, infertility, and pregnancy-associated complications which includes maternal and fetal demise due to excessive bleeding. Uterine hemangiomas occur at all age groups without preponderance in any decades and are classified into congenital and acquired. Congenital hemangiomas may be associated with hereditary diseases whereas acquired hemangiomas are thought to be associated with both physical changes and hormone alterations.

Diagnostic value and accuracy of imprint cytology evaluation during image-guided core needle biopsies: Review of our experience at a large academic center.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have emphasized the value of on-site evaluation of imprint cytology (IC) performed on core needle biopsies (CNB) of breast, prostate, and lung, in terms of adequacy. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value and accuracy of rapid on-site IC of CNB specimens performed for liver, lung, lymph node, bone, and soft tissue masses to evaluate whether on-site preliminary diagnosis is sufficiently accurate to allow earlier, more efficient planning of ancillary studies with decreased turnaround time. METHODS: This morphology-based, retrospective study was approved by our Institutional Review Board. A total of 252 consecutive CNBs with on-site IC on masses of liver, lung, lymph node, bone, and soft tissue were included in this study. IC was reviewed by two cytopathology fellows and two board-certified cytopathologists who gave a categorical diagnosis (malignant/benign/atypical) and exact diagnosis when possible. Preliminary diagnoses were compared with corresponding histological CNB diagnoses. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 252 cases reviewed, 30 cases were classified as atypical by IC and evaluated separately. Of the remaining 222 cases, IC classified an average of 154 (70%) as malignant, 54 (24%) as benign, and 14 (6%) as nondiagnostic. The corresponding distribution of histological diagnoses was 151 (68%) malignant and 71 (32%) benign. Overall correlation of correct IC diagnoses was 80%, with a correlation of 91% in malignant cases and 59% in benign cases. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 96, 74, 92, and 87%, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy was 91%. There was no statistically significant difference in the accuracy of categorical diagnoses between IC and final histologic diagnosis. Atypical cases by IC were more likely to be malignant in lung and liver lesions (71% and 58%, respectively), than in lymph node, bone, or soft tissue lesions (17%, 0%, 0%, respectively). An exact diagnosis on IC was rendered in 113 (51%) cases, with an accuracy of 73%. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 94, 41, 70, and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Rapid on-site IC is a useful and valuable tool for evaluating adequacy of CNB as well as providing accurate information on a categorical basis (malignant versus benign), with greater diagnostic accuracy in cases of malignancy than for benign lesions. IC provides high sensitivity with high PPV in lung, liver, lymph node, bone, and soft tissue lesions. Exact preliminary diagnoses have good diagnostic accuracy. Considering the fundamentally different diagnostic and therapeutic approach based on histologic tumor type (e.g., in lung malignancies), on-site preliminary diagnosis may allow appropriate triaging of tissue for early planning of ancillary studies with decreased turnaround times. In addition, early diagnosis may reduce anxiety in patients and expedite treatment planning.

Cytologic features of metanephric adenoma of the kidney: case report and review of the literature.

Metanephric adenoma (MA) is a rare, benign renal tumor that can be found in individuals of any age. The histological features of this lesion are well known; however, cytological features of this entity have rarely been described. Herein, we present the case of a 37-year-old white woman with multiple endocrine dysfunctions and a renal mass. The diagnosis of metanephric adenoma was suggested as a differential diagnosis during imprint cytology; this diagnosis was later confirmed by core needle biopsy (CNB) and the results of immunostaining. To our knowledge, this is the first time in the literature that the diagnosis of metanephric adenoma was initially suggested on imprint cytologic testing of a CNB. We review the literature regarding the cytologic features and immunohistochemical reactivity of this tumor to raise awareness of this entity among pathologists and to distinguish it from other lesions, such as renal-cell carcinoma, so physicians can use this information to help them avoid calling for an unnecessary radical nephrectomy.

Specimen Age Stability for Human Papilloma Virus DNA Testing Using BD SurePath.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the BD SurePath liquid-based Papanicolaou (Pap) test is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only for Pap testing; however, these specimens are widely used for human papilloma virus (HPV) testing. METHODS: We retested, at 21 days after the collection date, 50 BD SurePath specimens that had initially tested positive for high-risk HPV using the Roche Cobas 4800 assay to compare repeat results of aged specimens to original results and evaluate false-negative results. RESULTS: Of 50 specimens that initially tested positive for HPV DNA with the Roche Cobas 4800 assay (average, 7 days), 8 tested negative when retested at 21 days after the collection date (false-negative rate, 16.0%). CONCLUSION: Aged BD SurePath-preserved Pap test specimens older than 21 days from collection date may produce false-negative HPV DNA testing results when testing with assays such as Roche Cobas 4800, most likely due to degradation of DNA. Guidelines are needed to limit specimen age to less than 2 weeks to prevent false-negative test results and to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care.

The unsatisfactory ThinPrep® Pap Test™: analysis of technical aspects, most common causes, and recommendations for improvement.

ThinPrep® preparation is a widely-used method for processing gynecologic specimens due to the many advantages of the technique. However, the presence of blood, inflammation, and lubricant, among other factors, can significantly interfere with specimen adequacy. The aim of this study was to identify and overcome the most common reasons for unsatisfactory ThinPrep® Pap Test™ results in our laboratory. From October 2010 to January 2011, we reprocessed cases categorized as "unsatisfactory for evaluation" to determine whether reprocessing these specimens would impact the unsatisfactory rate. Reasons for unsatisfactory results were classified as: technical reasons, scant cellularity, and complete obscuring factors. Two hundred fifty-three cases were initially classified as unsatisfactory. Of these, 226 cases were reprocessed. Ninety cases became satisfactory after reprocessing with an overall improvement of 40%. The most common reasons for unsatisfactory results were the presence of lubricant (96 cases), presence of blood (64 cases), and technical problems (33 cases). Cases affected by blood or technical issues showed a significant improvement after reprocessing (56.2% and 90.9%, respectively). However, unsatisfactory cases owed to the presence of lubricant showed a relatively low percentage of improvement (16.6%). The main reasons for unsatisfactory results, the presence of blood and lubricant, can be avoided in many cases if sampling is not performed during bleeding and if the use of lubricants is limited during sample collection. Our study showed that reprocessing of selected cases can improve the overall unsatisfactory rate and can potentially reduce the risk of missing significant lesions.

Solid papillary carcinoma of the breast: a pathologically and clinically distinct breast tumor.

Solid papillary carcinomas are tumors morphologically characterized by round, well-defined nodules composed of low-grade ductal cells separated by fibrovascular cores. These tumors are rare and affect predominantly older women. Although they are considered in situ carcinomas, debate and uncertainty still exist regarding their true nature, because immunohistochemistry for myoepithelial cells has shown absence of myoepithelial cell layer along the epithelial-stromal interface of the tumor in many cases. Clinically, these tumors present as a palpable, centrally located mass or as bloody nipple discharge. Pathologically, solid papillary carcinomas exhibit low-grade features, and often the tumors display neuroendocrine and mucinous differentiation. In the majority of cases an associated invasive carcinoma is present, with colloid and neuroendocrine carcinomas being the most common. The pathologic differential diagnosis is broad and ranges from benign to malignant lesions. The treatment for solid papillary carcinomas is surgical excision. When invasive carcinoma is not present, the prognosis is excellent.