The chance identification of unusual-appearing bacteria in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

BACKGROUND: A well-known indication for the cytologic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid is the identification of infectious organisms. However, an important distinction must be made as to whether the organisms seen represent a true opportunistic lower respiratory tract infection or a non-pathologic contamination. CASE: We describe herein the case of a 13-month-old male infant who presented with persistent chest congestion and tracheobronchitis and who underwent BAL as part of his clinical work-up. On cytological examination of the BAL fluid, the Romanowsky-stained cytospin slides contained numerous squamous epithelial cells with some showing rare striated rod-like structures on their surfaces. The peculiar structures also had rounded ends and were very large when compared to adjacent known bacterial cocci. CONCLUSION: We have determined that the striated rod-like structures in the infant's BAL fluid were indeed bacteria, Simonsiella sp. Simonsiella has reportedly been found in up to 32% of oral swabs in normal humans and it is considered a commensal and non-pathogenic organism. The characteristically large size, the association with normal oral-derived squamous cells and the striated appearance is diagnostic and will hopefully eliminate any possibility of confusion with a truly pathogenic organism.

Parotid gland fine-needle aspiration cytology: an approach to differential diagnosis.

Parotid glands can undergo a wide range of pathologic changes that may be difficult to characterize by clinical features alone. No single diagnostic modality is currently accepted unequivocally as the definitive approach to parotid gland enlargement or tumors. Although it is generally accepted that fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is useful in the preoperative setting, the accuracy is highly dependent on both operator experience and the interpretative skills of the cytopathologist. Results of FNA biopsy must be considered in a global context, in conjunction with clinical and radiographic findings. The objectives of this paper are threefold: (1) to define the clinical role of parotid FNA, such that pathologists performing and/or interpreting such specimens have a clearer understanding of the expectations of our surgical colleagues; (2) to clearly describe a protocol for the performance of parotid FNA biopsy, including a discussion of complications and pitfalls; and (3) to present the cytologic differential diagnoses of diverse clinicopathologic parotid gland processes that may present as generalized enlargement, cystic lesions, or discrete masses.

Validity of sampling error as a cause of noncorrelation.

BACKGROUND: Sampling error is a common explanation of noncorrelation in women whose Papanicolaou (Pap) tests show high-grade intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) but whose follow-up cervical biopsies show only cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1, koilocytosis, or reactive/inflammatory changes. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the validity of sampling error in this setting by determining the proportion of negative colposcopic cervical biopsies in women with HSIL who subsequently undergo cone/loop electrode excision procedure (LEEP) biopsies or repeat cervical biopsies that confirm the diagnosis of high-grade CIN (HGCIN). METHODS: In all, 368 cases of HSIL were retrieved from the computerized database from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005. Follow-up was obtained as part of routine quality assurance/quality control activities including cytologic-histologic correlation. RESULTS: A total of 368 HSIL Pap diagnoses were retrieved. Of the 254 cases that were followed up by cervical biopsy, 146 showed HGCIN in the biopsy. Of the remaining 108 patients whose cervical biopsies failed to demonstrate HGCIN, 47 had a subsequent procedure, either cone/LEEP, cervical biopsy, or repeat Pap test. Cone biopsy/LEEP was performed in 34 cases (72.3%) with a diagnosis of HGCIN in 19. Repeat cervical biopsy was performed in 9 cases (19.1%) with HGCIN diagnosed in 5. Repeat Pap test was performed in 4 cases (8.5%) with HSIL diagnosed in 2. CONCLUSIONS: In the population of women with HSIL by Pap test followed up by cervical biopsy with or without subsequent cone/LEEP, there was a discordant cervical biopsy rate for HGCIN of 43%. In the subgroup of women with HSIL by Pap test followed up by cervical biopsy and subsequent cone/LEEP or repeat cervical biopsy, the proportion of women with negative colposcopic cervical biopsy and subsequent histology-proven HGCIN was 56%. These figures justify sampling error as a valid cause of noncorrelation in women with HSIL followed up by cervical biopsy alone.

Mucosal remodeling in chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Despite pathophysiologic similarities, mucosal remodeling is well described in asthma but not chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). OBJECTIVE: This study attempts to identify mucosal remodeling in CRS and correlate it with clinical information. METHODS: Charts and histopathology from 53 CRS patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery were reviewed. Clinical data and basement membrane (BM) thickness were recorded. BM thickness was graded as 0 (no thickening), 1 (mild thickening), 2 (moderate thickening), or 3 (marked thickening). Control mucosae from ten patients without CRS were analyzed for comparison. RESULTS: Duration of CRS symptoms positively correlated with BM thickness (p = 0.007). Also, patients with a markedly thickened BM (score of 3) had a significantly greater duration of CRS symptoms (120 months) compared to patients with a thinner BM (score < or =2) (33 months) (p = 0.010). Markedly thickened BM was associated with increased coincidence of asthma (p = 0.019) and aspirin sensitivity (p = 0.003). No correlation was found between BM thickness and preoperative Lund-MacKay score. There was no statistically significant difference between markedly thickened BM and thinner BM with respect to coincidence of polyps, course of preoperative systemic steroids, estimated blood loss at surgery, and number of prior surgeries. CONCLUSION: Increased BM thickness is correlated with prolonged duration of symptoms and the coincidence of asthma. This may indicate paranasal sinus remodeling akin to that which occurs in the bronchioles of persistent asthmatic sufferers.