Comparative Diagnostic of Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenitis: PCR is a Fast, Efficient, and Improved Diagnostic Approach.

Methods: The study included 100 clinically suspected cases of TBLN. Fine needle aspirate (FNA) samples were processed for cytology staining and cultured on LJ & BACTEC 12B media. The biochemical tests were performed to identify the isolates at the species level. Additionally, for PCR, DNA was extracted and used for the diagnosis and identification of mycobacterial species. Results: Patients ranged from 2 to 45 years with a mean age of 24.96 ± 9.10 years. Out of 100 patients, 73% had clinical symptoms of weight loss, followed by fever (72%), anorexia (66%), and night sweats (58%). 24% of patients were found to be smear-positive after Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and statistically highly significant with PCR. On LJ medium 34% and on BACTEC radiometric 45% of samples were smearing positive. Overall, 48% of cases were PCR-positive for TBLN. When compared with culture, the sensitivity and specificity of PCR were 93.75% and 100%, respectively, which are higher than cytology. The true positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 83.3% and 61.5%, respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests that PCR is a rapid, sensitive, and specific tool for correct diagnosis of TBLN cases as compared to staining and culture which lead to the early and proper management of mycobacterial diseases.

Angiogenesis in Breast Cancer and its Correlation with Estrogen, Progesterone Receptors and other Prognostic Factors.

PURPOSE: The aim of study is to evaluate angiogenesis using CD34, in estrogen, progesterone positive and negative breastcancer and to correlate the microvessel density with known histological prognostic factors, morphological type of breast carcinoma and lymph node metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty eight untreated cases of breast cancer were included in the study and paraffin embedded sections were obtained from representative mastectomy specimen of breast cancer patient. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemistry was performed using CD34, estrogen, progesterone, cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen antibody. Angiogenesis was analysed using CD 34 antibody. For statistical analysis, cases were grouped into estrogen, progesterone positive and negative receptors. RESULTS: Mean microvessel density in ER-/PR-, ER-/ PR+, ER+/PR-, ER+/PR+ was 15.45, 14.83, 11, 10.89 respectively. A significant correlation was found between ER receptors and mean vascular density with p-value (< 0.05). A significant difference was observed in mean vascular density between the four groups comprising (p-value < 0.05). Infiltrating duct carcinoma (NOS) grade III has got the highest mean microvessel density (14.17) followed by grade II (12.93) and grade I (12.33). CONCLUSION: Information about prognostic factors in breast cancer patients may lead to better ways to identify those patients at high risk who might benefit from adjuvant therapies.

Pilomatrixoma masquerading as metastatic adenocarcinoma. A diagnostic pitfall on cytology.

Pilomatrixoma (Px) is a relatively uncommon slowly growing, benign skin appendageal tumor with a wide morphological spectrum, and can pose diagnostic difficulties especially in cases with unusual clinical presentation. We report a case of young male who presented with a nodule over anterior abdominal wall, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) revealed predominantly small cells in focal acinar pattern suggestive of metastatic carcinoma; however, histopathological diagnosis was Px. The case highlights the diagnostic pitfalls on cytology due to limited morphology.

Trichofolliculoma presenting as lobulated mass: a rare presentation.

Trichofolliculoma represents abortive differentiation of pluripotent skin cells toward hair follicles. We present a case of an adult female with lobulated mass involving the tip and dorsum of the nose for the last 15 years. The systemic and radiological examinations were noncontributory. The clinical diagnosis was thought to be dermoid cyst. The fine-needle aspiration cytology of the lobulated mass was performed, and the cytology smears showed anucleate squames admixed with sebaceous cells. The possibility of a benign skin adnexal lesion was suggested. The biopsy was done, and the final diagnosis of trichofolliculoma was made. The wide local excision of the mass was performed, and no recurrence was noted during the follow-up of 1 year.