ABSTRACT
Mycetoma, a chronic granulomatous infection of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue, is characterized by discharge of exudate containing grains. This report illustrates the importance of dermoscopy in selecting lesions for both microbiological and histopathological assessment, which are considered the gold standard of diagnosis in mycetoma.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of line needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of breast lumps. METHODS: All patients who underwent FNA breast lumps at Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar during 2006 to 2008 were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study. The FNA procedure was performed & interpreted by experienced cyto-pathologists. FNAC of 102 breast lumps were analysed. RESULTS: The age range of the patients was 15-80 years (mean 38.11 years). Inadequate cases were 2.94%, malignant 30.39%, atypical/suspicious of malignancy 6.86%, and benign 59.80%. Malignant lesions predominated in the 5th and 6th and benign in the 3rd and 4th decades of life. CONCLUSION: FNAC of breast is simple, cost-effective and less traumatic method for diagnosis of breast lumps. Combined with physical examination and imaging studies, it is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool and can reduce the need for open biopsy.