A WhatsApp-based introductory histopathology and cytology course for first-year pathology postgraduate students.

Background The first-year pathology postgraduates can take a long time to learn the basic skills of microscopy, which can become a barrier to learning. Methods A WhatsApp group comprising all 14 postgraduate first-year students with one senior resident and one faculty as group administrators was formed. For the study, 50 routine cases (35 histopathology cases and 15 cytopathology cases) captured by using a smartphone camera and annotated using image-editing software, along with relevant descriptions and weblinks, were sent to the WhatsApp group. A pre- and post-test comprising 15 cases each was conducted and the results were compared by non-parametric Wilcoxon rank test. A feedback form about the effectiveness of this method of learning was circulated at the end of the study. Results The results of the post-test were better than the pre-test by the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank test. Both the active participants (>10 posts) and passive participants of the study group showed statistically significant improvement in the scores and posted a similar number of intellectually thought-provoking posts. The students' responses to the questionnaire also indicated that they liked the new method of instruction. Conclusion This pilot study shows that smartphone-based learning methods can supplant the traditional methods of teaching for pathology postgraduates.

A Rare Case of Nasal Glial Heterotopia in an Infant.

Glial heterotopias are the displacement of neuroglial tissue in extracranial sites. Nasal glial heterotopias can be of three types-extranasal, intranasal and mixed. Root of the nose is the most common location. These are rare anomalies with an incidence of 1 case in 20,000-40,000 live births. Here we report the case of a 6-month-old infant with a congenital mass located at the root of the nose. Non-contrast computed tomography studies showed no evidence of intracranial communication of the lesion. The mass was excised, and on histopathological examination, it showed glial tissue with astrocytes in a fibrillary background and fibroconnective tissue. Masson's trichrome stain showed the red staining of the glial tissue, whereas the background fibrosis was stained blue. On immunohistochemistry, glial fibrillary acidic protein was positive. Hence, the diagnosis of nasal glial heterotropia was made. The patient had an uneventful postoperative period.

Smartphone-assisted tele-gynepathology: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Traditional telepathology techniques like whole slide imaging require expensive equipment and are currently out of reach of the developing countries. However, the improvements in smartphone camera resolution and availability of faster internet have made smartphone-assisted telepathology possible. METHODS: A total of 186 cases pertaining to gynecologic pathology reported by single consultant (NT) were retrieved from the records of the histopathology department. A trained histopathologist then photographed representative areas of each case by using the smartphone camera. After a wash off period of 6 months, the images along with the clinical details were sent by Whatsapp Messenger to the same reporting pathologist. The reporting pathologist replied with the diagnosis of each case by using Whatsapp. RESULTS: The smartphone diagnosis was concordant in 179/186 (96.2%) cases. The intraobserver concordance rates varied with the organ involved - it was highest for endometrial and myometrial pathology (123/126, 97.6%) lowest for ovarian lesions (08/10, 80%). For cervical pathology, it was 97.2% (35/36) and for fallopian tube pathology it was 92.9% (13/14). CONCLUSION: Although the initial results of this pilot study are encouraging, there is a long way to go before smartphone-assisted telepathology can be put to routine use for the second opinion. More experience of the pathologists with this technique and faster internet and better smartphone cameras will further improve the concordance of smartphone-assisted telepathology diagnosis with conventional microscopy diagnosis.

Smartphone-Assisted Telecytopathology: An Intraobserver Concordance Study.

INTRODUCTION: Telecytology is the practice of cytology at a distance. The images captured by a camera are sent to the cytopathologist at a different location who views the images and reaches a diagnosis. Recently, smartphone-assisted telepathology has been evaluated for different subspecialities of pathology including cytology for second opinion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the purpose of the study, a total of 151 cases of fine needle aspiration and 10 cases of urine cytology reported by a single pathologist were retrieved from the records. The images of all the cases were captured by a trained pathologist using the primary camera of a smartphone from the ocular of a binocular microscope. The images were sent by WhatsApp to the same pathologist who had made the conventional microscopy diagnosis. The images were viewed on the smartphone screen by the pathologist who replied with the diagnosis after analysing all the images with or without digital zoom. RESULTS: A total of 154 cases out of 161 were correctly diagnosed on smartphone-assisted telepathology (overall intraobserver concordance of 95.6%). For head and neck swellings, the concordance was 65/70 (92.9%), for breast lesions, it was 23/24 (95.8%), and for miscellaneous swellings, it was 57/57 (100%). For urine cytology, the concordance rate was 9/10 (90%). CONCLUSION: Though the results of this study are encouraging, further improvement in the smartphone camera resolution and internet connectivity would enhance the utility of smartphone-assisted telecytopathology.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy: An entrustable professional activity in cytopathology postgraduate training.

CONTEXT: In the context of competency-based medical education being advocated worldwide, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is considered as an entrustable professional activity (EPA). There is no information regarding how much time and training are required to achieve a "competent level" for performing and documenting FNAB in the Indian context. AIM: To determine the time taken by an average postgraduate pathology trainee to become competent in performing FNAB with respect to history taking, clinical examination, and fine needle aspirate adequacy. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A descriptive, retrospective, chart-based audit was conducted in the Department of Pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: FNAB chart records documented during 3 years of postgraduate training by a cohort of 13 postgraduate (PG) resident trainees admitted in 2010 were included in the study. Adequacy rates and criteria for adequacy were defined for the purpose of the study. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data was entered in MS Excel and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. The adequacy rates are presented as percentages and time taken to achieve adequacy rates as median values. RESULTS: A total of 3272 charts were audited. Median time taken to achieve 85% adequacy rate for history taking, for clinical examination by the first and the second criteria, and for FNAB were 1 month, 1 month and 3.5 months, and 1 month, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the mean time taken to achieve 85% adequacy rates for FNAB was 1 month, there was wide variation in the time durations between the residents to achieve this level.

Large Cell Calcifying Sertoli Cell Tumour of Testis-A Rare Case Report.

Sertoli cell tumours of testes are classified into sertoli cell tumour NOS (not otherwise specified), sclerosing variant and large cell calcifying variant. So far, 90 cases of the large cell calcifying variant have been reported in literature. We describe a rare case of inhibin negative locally invasive large cell calcifying sertoli cell tumour of testis. A 62-year-old man presented with complaints of pain and swelling in right scrotum for 8 months. Ultrasound revealed a right testicular mass with internal vascularity and calcification. Gross examination of right inguinal orchiectomy specimen showed firm to hard mass with yellow areas and calcification seen on cut section. Microscopy revealed a tumour in the testis infiltrating the epididymis and rete testis and reaching up to the skin. Tumour cells were arranged in the form of solid nests, tubules and cords with neutrophilic stromal infiltrate and calcification. Tumour cells had abundant clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm, round nucleus with vesicular chromatin and conspicuous nucleoli. On immunohistochemistry, tumour cells were positive for pan cytokeratin, Epithelial Membrane Antigen (EMA), S-100 protein, desmin, vimentin, neuron specific enolase, and chromogranin. However, it was negative for inhibin alpha, OCT4, CD10, CD99, Melan A. Inhibin negative large cell calcifying sertoli cell tumour is a rare entity.