Diagnostic utility of endoscopic brush cytology in upper gastrointestinal malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: The advent of endoscopy and endoscopic biopsy has greatly facilitated the detection and diagnosis of gastrointestinal neoplasms. Brush cytology often complements and increases the sensitivity and specificity of detection of GIT lesions in many ways. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present prospective study was conducted in the Department of Pathology in collaboration with Department of Gastroenterology at S.G.T. Medical College and University, Gurugram. A total of 50 patients suspected of having upper gastrointestinal malignancies formed the study group. After taking the detailed history, patients were subjected to endoscopy using flexible video endoscope. After brushing, biopsies were taken from the lesions and preserved in 10% formalin. The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of endoscopic brush cytology in diagnosing upper gastrointestinal malignancies and its comparison with endoscopic biopsy. RESULTS: In the present study, a total of 50 cases constituted the study group, during the period of 2018-2019, with the age of patients ranging from 30 to 85 years. Mean age at presentation was 58 years. The most frequent age group affected was 41-60 (44%) and most of them were men (66%). The sensitivity and positive predictive value in our study is 84.4% and 97.4%, respectively, while the specificity and negative predictive value is 100% and 50%, respectively. CONCLUSION: To conclude, brush cytology is a reliable, simple, safe, rapid, noninvasive yet effective, and inexpensive method of detecting malignancy of upper gastrointestinal tract.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast: Experience at a tertiary care centre of Northern India.

INTRODUCTION: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast (breast-ACC) is a rare tumor with a favorable prognosis, despite its triple-negative status and special type of basal-like tumor for which scant population-based descriptive data exist. We sought to provide new population-based information on breast-ACC in India. Due to the paucity of the number of cases, the natural history of the disease is not fully understood. This study was undertaken to examine the clinico-pathological characteristics of the disease and to evaluate the outcome of surgical intervention in a tertiary referral care centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients diagnosed and treated for ACC Breast in our hospital over the past 10 years was carried out (2005-2015). A database of the characteristics of these patients was developed. In all, 14 patients were identified. The investigations performed included routine blood investigations, chest X-ray, bone scan and either an ultrasound or a CT scan. RESULTS: During the time period of 10 years, of 2347 with breast malignancy admitted to our department, only 14 were diagnosed as having ACC (3.15%). All patients were women (100%). The patients had a median age of 60.7 years (range 37-81). The most common symptom was lump in the breast. Two patients (14.2%) presented with nipple and skin retraction and two patients (14.2%) were asymptomatic with the diagnosis made by an incidental finding on routine examination. The CT and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the typical features of carcinoma breast. All the 14 patients were taken up for surgery. Nine patients underwent Modified radical mastectomy and five patients underwent Breast conservation surgery. Axillary lymph node dissection was carried out in seven patients and sentinel lymph node biopsy in the remaining. Tumor cells had a characteristic histologic pattern of ACC of the breast. Perineural invasion was present in six cases. DISCUSSION: ACC of the breast is a very rare malignancy, accounting for less than 0.1% of all breast neoplasms. It affects the left and right breasts equally and tumors arise irrespective of the breast quadrants. However, in about 50 percent of patients, lesions are found in subareolar region. Pain or tenderness described in the minority of cases has not been correlated with histologically-confirmed perineural invasion. ACC is categorized as a basal-like subtype of breast carcinoma. Most cases are macroscopically well-circumscribed. Occasionally, pink, tan, or gray microcysts are evident. A tumor typically consists of a dual-cell population of luminal and myoepithelial-basal cells which may be arranged in one or more of three architectural patterns: tubular-trabecular, cribriform, and solid-basaloid. There is no consensus on the optimal management for patients with ACC of the breast. Based on its indolent clinical course and favorable outcome, ACC of the breast is generally cured by breast-conserving surgery, such as wide excision or quadrantectomy with or without radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Breast-ACC among women is characterized by ER-negative/PR-negative expression, rare regional lymph node involvement, a favorable prognosis with excellent survival, and absence of associated cancers. These findings reinforce the importance of tailored treatments for breast-ACC and the apparent heterogeneity of basal-like breast cancers.

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas: Experience at a tertiary care centre of Northern India.

INTRODUCTION: Solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of the pancreas is rare, accounting for 0.13-2.7% of all pancreatic tumors. It is unique, has low malignant potential and predominantly affects young women. Radiological and pathological studies have revealed that the tumor is quite different from other pancreatic tumors. But the cell origin of SPT and tumorigenesis are still enigmatic. Abdominal mass is the most common presenting symptom. Due to the paucity of the number of cases, the natural history of the disease is not fully understood. This study was undertaken to examine the clinico-pathological characteristics of the disease and to evaluate the outcome of surgical intervention in a tertiary referral care centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients diagnosed and treated for SPN in our hospital over a period of 10 years (2005-2015) was carried out. A database of the characteristics of these patients was developed. In all, 11 patients were identified. A CT scan of the abdomen was performed in all the patients and the findings revealed a mass in the pancreas. The investigations performed included routine blood investigations, chest X-ray, CA-19-9 level and either an ultrasound or a CT Scan of the abdomen. RESULTS: During the time period of 10 years, of 349 patients with pancreatic malignancy admitted to our department, only 11 were diagnosed as having SPN (3.15%). Ten patients were women (90%) and one patient was a man (10%). The patients had a median age of 27.6 years (range 17-41). The most common symptoms were abdominal pain and dullness. Eight patients (72.7%) presented with abdominal pain or abdominal dullness and three patient (27%) were asymptomatic. All the 11 patients were taken up for surgery. Three patients underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, three patients underwent the total mass excision and one patient underwent total pancreatic resection. Three required extended distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. One underwent spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy. CONCLUSION: SPT is rare, but treatable pancreatic tumor. While clinical signs and symptoms are relatively nonspecific, characteristic findings on imaging and histology separate these tumors from the more malignant pancreatic tumors. The prognosis is favorable even in the presence of distant metastasis. Although surgical resection is generally curative, a close follow-up is advised in order to diagnose a local recurrence or distant metastasis.

Role of gum chewing on the duration of postoperative ileus following ileostomy closure done for typhoid ileal perforation: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND/AIM: There is ample evidence in the recent literature that gum chewing after elective colonic anastomosis decreases postoperative ileus (POI). But there are very few studies on small bowel anastomosis done in relaparotomy cases. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of gum chewing on the duration of POI following small bowel anastomosis performed for the closure of intestinal stoma, made as temporary diversion in the selected cases of typhoid perforation peritonitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hundred patients undergoing elective small bowel anastomosis for the closure of stoma were randomly assigned to the study group (n=50) and the control group (n=50). The study group patients chewed gum thrice a day for 1 h each time starting 6 h after the surgery until the passage of first flatus. The control group patients had standard postoperative treatment. RESULTS: Study and control group patients were comparable at inclusion. The mean time for the appearance of bowel sounds as well as the passage of first flatus was significantly shorter in the study group (P=0.040, P=0.006). The feeling of hunger was also experienced earlier in study group cases (P=0.004). The postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the study group, but the difference was not significant (P=0.059). CONCLUSIONS: The cases of relaparotomy requiring additional adhesiolysis and small bowel anastomosis for stoma closure are benefited by postoperative gum chewing.

Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of Diaphragmatic Hernia following Blunt Trauma.

Diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia due to blunt abdominal trauma requires a high index of suspicion. This study was conducted to assess the accuracy of multidetector computed tomogram (MDCT) in the diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. All patients with thoracoabdominal blunt trauma with diaphragmatic hernia diagnosed on radiologic evaluation during a 3-year period (i.e., from June 2004 to June 2007) were analyzed. Nineteen patients with diaphragmatic injuries in 117 patients with blunt thoracoabdominal injury (16.23%) were studied. Age range was 8-60 years (mean 34 years). Male-female ratio was 18:1. Various features seen on CT scan were diaphragmatic discontinuity in 13 (68.42%), thickened diaphragm in 10 (52.63%), "collar sign" in 8 (42.10%), visceral herniation in 12 (63.15%), dependent viscera sign in 8 (42.10%), and segmental nonrecognition of the diaphragm in 1 patient (5.88%). Two patients presented with delayed rupture. In the rest mean duration between time of injury and performance of CT scan was 44.35 h (range 3-288 h). Fourteen patients underwent operative management. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MDCT scan were 100, 93, and 95%, respectively. Three patients (15.78%) expired. MDCT is a highly accurate modality for detecting traumatic diaphragmatic hernia.

Extra-hepatic biliary-ductal necrosis following acute pancreatitis: 10 years of follow-up.

This case report is 10 years follow-up of a child who presented with acute abdomen at the age of 8 years. Exploration revealed acute pancreatitis with the necrosis of common bile duct and almost whole of the common hepatic duct with bile leaking from the junctional stump of the right and left hepatic ducts. The patient was managed successfully by Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. After 10 years, the patient again presented with a recurrent discharging sinus from the anterior abdominal wall. On exploration, it was found to be a stitch granuloma near the site of hepaticojejunostomy. However, hepaticojejunostomy was found to function normally as seen on MRCP. This rare case highlights that extra-hepatic biliary-ductal necrosis is very unusual complication of acute pancreatitis; and it can be successfully managed by Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy as evident from long-term follow-up.

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.

Adrenal angiomyolipoma: A rare entity.

Angiomyolipoma is apparently a part of a family of neoplasms that derive from perivascular epitheloid cells. It is a rare mesenchymal tumor, usually found in the kidney. Extrarenal angiomyolipoma is uncommon and the most common extrarenal site is the liver. Only two cases of adrenal angiomyolipoma are reported in English literature. Authors wish to add one more case to world literature. Because of its large size and symptomatic presentation of extremely rare tumor merits documentation.

Caecal volvulus in pregnancy: is delay in diagnosis avoidable?

Intestinal volvulus is not an uncommon cause of obstruction in pregnancy. Diagnosis is often delayed due to poor knowledge of the condition and a hesitation to use abdominal X-rays in a pregnant patient. Here, two cases of caecal volvulus in pregnancy are reported. Proper diagnosis and early treatment of the condition is emphasized.

Digital polypectomy: a simple technique for rectal polyps in children.

Excision, suture ligation and endoscopic snaring are the recommended methods of treatment for a juvenile rectal polyp. A successful experience of a simpler technique, digital polypectomy, in 218 cases is reported.

Neurilemmoma of cervical sympathetic chain.

Neurilemmoma of the cervical sympathetic chain is a rare nerve tumour. Less than 40 confirmed cases have been reported in the literature.1 2 Sometimes they can he mistaken as carotid body tumour but usual presentation of these lesions is an asymptomatic neck mass. Because of the rarity of the tumour we report another case of neurilemmoma arising from cervical sympathetic chain in a 19 years old male.