Pneumonitis and Pulmonary Mucormycosis in a Covid-19 Positive Patient-A Case Report.

In the wake of second wave of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), an increased number of mucormycosis cases were reported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India. A total of 45 432 cases of mucormycosis were reported till mid-July 2021, with 4252 fatalities. Mucormycosis and other fungal infections are most commonly seen as an opportunistic infection. They are found in those with low underlying immunity either due to a diabetes, cancers particularly hematological malignancies, and so on, or as a side effect of prolonged/irrational use of certain drugs like steroids, immunosuppressive drugs for management of other disorders including Covid-19. The Health Authorities in India stated that although it is not a new disease, its true incidence during the beginning of the second wave was unknown as it was not a notifiable disease. As per reports, the most common presentations of mucormycosis included rhinocerebral (77.6%), cutaneous (4.3%), and pulmonary (3.0%). We present a case of pulmonary mucormycosis and pneumonitis in a Covid-19 positive patient brought for autopsy. The patient was an under trial prisoner sent for treatment to our facility who was reported Covid positive.

Cytological diagnosis of microfilaria coexistent with suspected malignancy of breast and ovary in a young pregnant female.

Filariasis is a major health issue of tropical and subtropical regions and is endemic in India. It is rarely seen in cytological smears, exfoliative scrapings or in effusions. We present the case of a 29-year old female with filaria found on cytological examination of both breast and ovary.

Evaluation of role of alpha-methyl acyl-coenzyme A racemase/P504S and high molecular weight cytokeratin in diagnosing prostatic lesions.

BACKGROUND: In recent years basal cell markers (high molecular weight cytokeratin [HMWCK]) and prostate biomarker alpha-methyl acyl-coenzyme A racemase (AMACR) have been used as adjuvant to morphology in diagnostically challenging cases with a very high sensitivity and specificity. This has increased the diagnostic accuracy of prostate cancer worldwide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, total of 50 cases including 37 cases of malignant lesions and 13 cases of benign lesions of the prostate were taken. Tumor grade was determined according to Gleason's grading system. AMACR and HMWCK expressions were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The obtained results were analyzed and evaluated using Chi-square statistical test (SPSS version 20). RESULTS: AMACR was not expressed in any of the 13 cases of benign lesions of the prostate while in malignant lesions of prostate it was expressed in 33 of 37 (89.18%) cases. All 4 (100%) cases of well-differentiated carcinoma were positive for AMACR expression. 21 of 25 (84%) moderately differentiated and all 10 (100%) cases of poorly differentiated tumors were positive for AMACR. There was statistically significant difference in expression of AMACR between benign and malignant lesions of the prostate, indicated byP = 0.001. In benign lesions, HMWCK was expressed in all the 13 (100%) cases while in malignant lesions of prostate it was not expressed in any of the (0%) case. All 13 benign lesions were positive for HMWCK only. AMACR expression was not seen in any of the benign lesion. Out of 37 malignant cases, 4 cases were negative for both, 33 cases were positive only for AMACR, but no case was positive only for HMWCK. CONCLUSIONS: As an adjunct to biopsy, AMACR and HMWCK have value for resolving diagnostically challenging cases.

Ileal stricture following Meckel's diverticulitis: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction.

We report a very rare case of Meckel's diverticulitis with ileal stricture at the base of the diverticulum in a young adult as a cause of recurrent small bowel obstruction lasting for 7 years. None of the pre-operative investigations were able to diagnose the cause of obstruction. The patient had undergone appendicectomy 3 years ago but without any relief. Thereafter he was given a therapeutic trial of anti-tubercular drugs, but his symptoms rather worsened with this treatment. Finally, the diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulitis with ileal stricture was made on exploratory laparotomy. The patient recovered well following segmental ileal resection including the stricture and inflamed Meckel's diverticulum. This unusual case highlights that such a rare clinical entity should be considered as a differential diagnosis while dealing with cases of recurrent distal ileal obstruction so as to avoid misdiagnosis and mismanagement as happened in the present case.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the orbit.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare spindle-cell neoplasm originating from the mesenchyme. It was originally thought to occur exclusively in the intrathoracic region but has been recently described in extrapleural sites including the orbit. SFT of the orbit is a rare lesion, which can be misdiagnosed as hemangiopericytoma, fibrous histiocytoma, meningioma, or neurofibroma. Immunohistochemistry plays an important role. We report an orbital SFT in a 39-year-old female presented with painless, progressive proptosis, and diminished vision in the right eye for the duration of 6 months. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated well-defined enhancing mass lesion. The patient underwent complete tumor removal through a right fronto-orbital approach, and a pathological diagnosis of the solitary fibrous tumor was made. Postoperatively, the patient was symptom-free. Clinical and pathological findings including immunohistochemistry are presented along with a brief discussion of literature.

Significance of p53 and ki-67 expression in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is a major health problem throughout the developed world. Tumor grade is one of the most important prognostic factors of prostate cancer. At present, adequate prognostic markers for prostate cancer progression are still lacking, in spite of intensive investigation. Accordingly, we studied the role of immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of p53 and Ki-67 as a prognostic factor in carcinoma prostate and correlated their expression with Gleason's grade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, a total of 60 cases including 50 cases of prostate carcinoma and 10 of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were taken. Tumor grade was determined according to Gleason's grading system. p53 and Ki-67 expressions were determined by IHC staining. The obtained results were analyzed and evaluated using Spearman's statistical test (SPSS version 20). RESULTS: In BPH, p53 was expressed in only 2 of 10 (20%) cases while in carcinoma it was expressed in 38 of 50 (76%) cases. Ki-67 was expressed in only 1 of 10 (10%) BPH cases while in carcinoma it was expressed in 32 of 50 (64%) cases. In present study, 1 of 4 (25%) well differentiated, 23 of 31 (74.19%) moderately differentiated and 14 of 15 (93.33%) poorly differentiated tumors revealed p53 immunopositivity and a statistically significant correlation was observed between p53 expression and increased Gleason's grade (P = 0.038). All 4 (100%) cases of well-differentiated carcinoma were negative for Ki-67 expression. Nineteen of 31 (61.29%) moderately differentiated and 13 of 15 (86.66%) poorly differentiated tumors were positive for Ki-67 and a statistically significant correlation was observed between Ki-67 positivity and increased Gleason's grade (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Both p53 and Ki-67 were significantly up-regulated in malignant lesions as compared to benign lesions and a strong relationship with the Gleason's grading was noticed, therefore, we propose that these markers can be applied along with other prostate cancer prognostic factors.

Correlation of Hormone Receptor Expression with Histologic Parameters in Benign and Malignant Breast Tumors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer of Indian women. Estrogen and Progesterone expression is seen in benign breast lesions and in breast carcinoma associated with good prognostic parameters and it correlates well with response to hormone therapy. Although a lot of studies have been conducted in the past on hormone receptor expression in breast cancer and few have correlated them with other prognostic parameters of breast cancer, the present study was intended to document the prevalence of hormone receptor positive breast carcinomas in our population; their importance in benign breast diseases; to document a reliable scoring system of hormone receptors expression by Quick scoring; to correlate them with most of the proven prognostic parameters of breast carcinoma. METHODS: Tissue specimens from 25 patients with benign breast disease and 50 patients with breast carcinoma were assayed for estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors using Quick scoring. ER/PR expression in breast carcinomas was correlated with various prognostic parameters including patients' age, menopausal status, tumor size, type, MBR grade, NPI, lymphatic vessel invasion, lymph node stage, lymphomononuclear invasion, elastosis and HER2/neu status. RESULT: Scoring of steroid receptors paralleled intensity of hyperplasia in benign breast diseases but in breast carcinoma, it was inversely correlated with grade of tumor, NPI, HER2/neu status, tumor necrosis, lymphomononuclear infiltrate and elastosis. We found no relationship with tumor size, lymph node status or age. CONCLUSION: Assessment of hormone receptors for clinical management of breast cancer patients is strongly advocated to provide prognostic information and best therapeutic options.

Significance of Morphometric Parameters in the Categorization of Breast Lesions on Cytology.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the utility of the morphometric parameters in cytological aspirates in the categorization of breast lesions. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was carried out on 50 females presenting with a breast lump for fine needle aspiration cytology. Air-dried smears from the aspirate were stained with Leishman and Giemsa stains while alcohol-fixed preparations were stained with the PAP stain. They were subsequently categorized into benign, borderline and malignant categories on light microscopy. Morphometry was performed on the stained smears. The morphometric parameters studied were mean nuclear area, mean cytoplasmic area, perimeter and nuclear/cytoplasm ratio. RESULTS: Morphometric parameters revealed a progressive and statistically significant increase in values from benign to borderline to malignant cases. On comparing benign with borderline and malignant, all the four parameters were found to be statistically significant with a p-value of less than 0.05 while on comparing borderline with malignant, two of the parameters, i.e. mean nuclear area and mean cytoplasmic area, were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study introduces morphometry as a highly objective tool to supplement the entirely subjective fine needle aspiration cytology in the crucial differentiation of benign from malignant lesions and especially the borderline cases in the gray zone comprising of atypical ductal hyperplasia and ductal carcinoma in situ.

Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma of Lymph Node: A report of a Patient with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treated with Imatinib.

Follicular dendritic cells or dendritic reticulum cells are important components of the immune system essential for antigen presentation. Malignancies arising from these cells are uncommon and the first case was reported in 1986. The most common sites of follicular dendritic cell sarcomas are lymph nodes, especially cervical, axillary and mediastinal regions, but extranodal sites including head and neck and gastrointestinal tract may be affected in one-third of patients. Immunohistochemistry plays an important role in its diagnosis to differentiate it from morphologically similar malignancies The present report describes a case of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with imatininb mesylate for 6 years. This case deserves reporting due to rarity of the disease and hitherto unreported association with CML. Furthermore, the pathological diagnosis is challenging and requires a close-knit effort between the pathologist and haematologist.

Subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma of scrotum presenting as an exophytic mass: An unusual presentation.

Paratesticular leiomyosarcoma originates from testicular tunica (48%), spermatic cord (48%), epididymis (2%) and dartos muscle, as well as subcutaneous tissue of the scrotum (2%). Leiomyosarcomas of the scrotum, not involving the testis, epididymis or spermatic cord, are rare, and belong to the group of subcutaneous superficial leiomyosarcomas. To the knowledge of the authors, less than 10 cases of leiomyosarcoma of the scrotum have so far been reported from India. The tumor usually presents as a painless, slow-growing scrotal mass in middle-aged or elderly men. The current approach is wide local excision, often with adjuvant therapy. The prognosis is usually good following complete excision, though a local recurrence rate of 40% has been reported. Long term follow-up is, therefore, necessary to monitor for recurrence. Herein we present the case of 35-year-old male who presented with an exophytic scrotal mass. Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of the mass were consistent with leiomyosarcoma.

Immunohistochemical expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and CAM5.2 in glial tumors and their role in differentiating glial tumors from metastatic tumors of central nervous system.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has become an important tool in the diagnosis of metastatic brain tumors. The judicious use of a panel of selected immunostains is unquestionably helpful in diagnostically challenging cases. In our study, the best combination of immune markers useful in differentiating metastatic carcinoma from high-grade gliomas in central nervous system (CNS) are glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and cytokeratin (CK) (CAM5.2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 80 cases of glial tumors including metastatic tumors to the CNS. Histopathological diagnosis was established on routine hematoxylin and eosin staining of the sections. Special IHC markers, GFAP, and CAM5.2 were used to differentiate glial from metastatic tumors. RESULT: Of total 80 cases, 40 cases of astrocytic tumors, 2 cases of ependymoma, 2 cases of mixed glial tumors, and 16 cases of glioblastoma multiforme were positive for GFAP. Twelve cases of oligodendroglioma were negative for GFAP. The sensitivity of GFAP in glial tumors was statistically significant as 81.1% and specificity 100%, whereas sensitivity and specificity of CAM5.2 in metastatic tumors were 100%. CONCLUSION: IHC plays an important role in diagnosing tumors of CNS and markers such as GFAP and CK (CAM5.2) are quite effective in differentiating glial tumors from metastatic tumors of CNS.

Small lymphocytic lymphoma of the thyroid mimicking plasmacytoma.

Primary thyroid gland lymphomas (PTLs) typically occur in middle-to older-aged individuals in the setting of lymphocytic thyroiditis with a predilection for females. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most frequent histologic subtype of thyroid lymphomas. Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) belongs to the least common subtypes of thyroid lymphoma. It is often associated with the involvement of lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, liver and, extremely rarely, other organs. PTLs with plasmacytic differentiation or extensive infiltration by plasma cells have been observed in marginal zone B-cell lymphomas in the thyroid but have never been described in a setting of SLL. Here, we present a case of primary SLL of the thyroid mimicking extramedullary plasmacytoma on fine-needle aspiration cytology.

Progressive muscular dystrophy of heart: diagnosis easily missed by clinicians.

Muscular dystrophy connotes a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders characterized by progressive wasting and weakness of the skeletal muscles. In several forms of muscular dystrophy, cardiac dysfunction occurs, and cardiac disease may even be the predominant manifestation of the underlying genetic myopathy. We present a case of progressive muscular dystrophy of the heart in which the initial and only manifestation was sudden death in a young man.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the colon in a patient with von Recklinghausen's disease: report of a case.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) arising from the colon is an extremely rare clinical entity. We report one such case of an adult female with neurofibromatosis type I who presented with pain and a lump in her abdomen. A computed tomographic scan revealed a 10 × 8-cm mass in the splenic flexure of her colon that was compressing its lumen, but the results of a colonoscopy were normal. Segmental resection of the left colon was performed based on the clinical possibility of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. However, on histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining, the final diagnosis came out to be MPNST. This case highlights that, although rare, the possibility of MPNST should be considered when dealing with extramucosal colonic wall tumors.

Primary cutaneous actinomycosis of upper extremity masquerading as soft tissue neoplasm: a case report.

Primary cutaneous actinomycosis of the extremity is extremely rare. It is usually misdiagnosed clinically as soft tissue tumour or soft tissue infection. We present the case of a 55-year-old woman with primary cutaneous actinomycosis of the right forearm that had been erroneously diagnosed as soft tissue tumour. It had probably occurred following direct inoculation of the micro-organism after a monkey bite. The patient was successfully treated with surgical excision followed by treatment with antibiotics.

Transient leukaemia: leukaemia or leukaemoid? A diagnostic dilemma.

We report a case of a newborn male who had mongoloid slant and was hypotonic at birth. Routine investigations revealed leucocytosis (WBC > 70,000/cmm) with 50% blasts in peripheral blood film. Marrow examination confirmed the excess of blasts. Karyotyping revealed 47, XY + 21 chromosomes. Due to absence of clinical symptoms, the baby was kept on follow-up without treatment. Within 7 weeks, PBF and bone marrow findings returned to normal, and the child was diagnosed as having Transient leukaemia with Down syndrome.