A Cross-Sectional Study of Hematological Parameters in the Geriatric Population Using Peripheral Smear Examination and a Five-Part Cell Counter.

BACKGROUND: "Healthy aging" is a major public health challenge, as the prevalence and incidence of diseases are much higher in older people. Among them, diabetes mellitus, hypertension (HTN), and cardiovascular illnesses are the most prevalent chronic ailments. A complete blood count test can give an overall picture of a patient's health status because abnormal counts might indicate the presence of many different types of disease. Using advanced hematology analyzers, a typical microscopic examination of a peripheral blood smear can yield vital information about the clinical state of the patient. The objective of the study was to investigate the hematological parameters in the elderly population in a tertiary care hospital, utilizing a five-part cell counter and a peripheral smear test. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care institute on 188 patients aged 60 years and above attending the outpatient department for two years. The routine complete blood count and differential count were determined on the Siemens Advia 2120 analyzer. All the data were collected and entered into the data sheets. Appropriate statistical analysis was carried out to interpret the results. RESULTS: HTN, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and generalized weakness were the most common conditions affecting our senior group. Decreased Hb was positively correlated with widespread weakness. Total leukocyte count (TLC) was found to be more prevalent in people with CVD and HTN. A sizable share of the elderly population who had diabetes mellitus and CVD showed an elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) percentage. CONCLUSION: The results indicated a significant deviation from normal hematological parameters, which were associated with various health issues. These parametric associations can be used as risk indicators, which can help healthcare professionals ensure the good health of the geriatric population.

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Over Right Lumbar Region: A Case Report.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare, low-grade dermal soft-tissue tumor with a high propensity for recurrence but a low propensity for metastatic spread. It mostly affects the head, neck, proximal extremities, and trunk. We report a case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans over the right lumbar region. The patient presented with swelling in the right lumbar region measuring 3 cm × 3 cm. The local region ultrasonography (USG) revealed a well-defined hypoechoic lesion in the subcutaneous area. The patient was provisionally diagnosed with a peripheral nerve sheath tumor under evaluation. USG-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) suggested a spindle cell tumor. Wide local excision of the tumor was performed. Monomorphic spindle cells in a storiform pattern were observed by histological evaluation. The neighboring adipose tissue was invaded by the tumor cells in a honeycomb-shaped pattern. The histological features were suggestive of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans. Due to the high likelihood of recurrence, it is crucial to monitor these patients for an extended period of time.

Endometrial Aspiration Cytology: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study of Its Efficacy and Sensitivity in Diagnosing Gynecological Disorders.

Introduction Endometrial aspiration cytology (EAC) is a noninvasive, rapid, and cost-effective procedure for diagnosing gynecological disorders. This study aimed to validate endometrial aspiration as a routine, safe, and efficient outpatient diagnostic procedure, correlating its findings with histopathology evaluations to facilitate early surgical planning for patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study involved patients of reproductive, menopausal, and postmenopausal age groups who presented with diverse gynecological concerns that required dilatation and curettage. Endometrial aspiration was performed using a Karman cannula (Angiplast Pvt. Ltd., Vatva, India), and the obtained material was prepared into smears and stained for evaluation. Sampling adequacy, the nature of glandular and stromal cells, phasing of the endometrium, and other abnormalities were assessed and correlated with histology to examine the diagnostic utility of endometrial cytology. Results EAC showed 90.66% sampling adequacy with the Karman cannula. The sensitivity of EAC for diagnosing benign and malignant conditions was 88.7% and 100%, respectively. Conditions including secretory endometrium, proliferative phase, tuberculous endometritis, and glandular hyperplasia were diagnosed using EAC and confirmed by histopathology. Six malignancies were successfully diagnosed on cytology smears, while challenges in differentiation and sampling errors were recognized as limitations of the technique. Conclusions This study established EAC as a highly sensitive, minimally invasive preliminary diagnostic tool for gynecological disorders, particularly effective in diagnosing malignancy. Despite certain limitations, the procedure's ease, cost-effectiveness, and safety underscore its potential for routine use by surgeons.

Incidental Finding of Microfilaria in Lymph Node Cytology: A Case Report.

Filariasis is a global public health problem. We routinely examine it in peripheral smears made from samples collected during the night. Though the prevalence is high, microfilariae are rarely found in cytology smears. A lymph node presenting as a filarial nodule is an unusual occurrence. Also, lymph node fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with a finding of microfilariae is uncommon. We would like to report the case of incidental microfilariae finding in a patient who presented with a supraclavicular lymph node mass. The patient presented with a right supraclavicular lymph node mass of size 2 cm × 2 cm and severe fever during the night for six months. The USG-neck region revealed enlarged lymph nodes in the right supraclavicular region. She was provisionally diagnosed as a case of cervical lymph node swelling under evaluation. However, on ultrasound-guided FNAC of the lymph node, microfilariae were found incidentally. In cases where clinical presentations of filariasis are absent, FNAC may aid in the diagnosis of microfilariae in the lymph node.

Feasible choices in diagnostic methods of malaria.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to find out a new easy method in the diagnosis of malaria by centrifuged buffy coat smear, which was found to be a feasible and reasonable procedure. METHODS: Blood samples collected from 120 patients suspected of malaria were subjected to all three diagnostic modalities-peripheral blood smear (PS), centrifuged buffy coat smear (CBCS) and antigen detection test using pLDH and aldolase (AG). RESULTS: The results of various methods were compared. It was seen that addition of centrifugation (i.e. CBCS) to conventional method of PS (i.e. thick and thin smears) improved its sensitivity from 85 to 93.3%. Antigen detection and CBCS were found superior to PS in sensitivity. CBCS gives combined sensitivity and specificity of both antigen and PS. CONCLUSION: CBCS is as sensitive as antigen test and as specific as PS in species identification. It is a reasonable and feasible procedure too.

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast (carcinosarcoma variant): a case report.

A case of a female patient aged 60 yrs, with metaplastic carcinoma of the breast which is a rare neoplasm is presented. Although it is a tumor of the ductal type, the predominant component of the neoplasm has an appearance other than glandular pattern and more in keeping with other cell types. Metaplastic carcinoma runs a very aggressive course and bears an unfavourable prognosis.

Cotyledonoid leiomyoma of the uterus.

In the growing knowledge of rare interesting tumors, the cotyledonoid leiomyoma is a tumor with an alarming appearance, of benign nature, but dealt with undue severity. We report a case of cotyledonoid leiomyoma in a 40 yr old female who presented with urinary retention and in whom a clinical diagnosis of uterine fibroid was made. On laparotomy, friable nodules were seen in the lower part of the uterus. Hence the diagnosis of sarcoma was considered and total abdominal hysterectomy with unilateral salpingo-oopherectomy was done. The friable nodules were removed piecemeal. Microscopic examination revealed nodules of bland looking smooth muscle cells arranged in-interlacing fascicles with perinodular hydropic degeneration. Necrosis or nuclear atypia was not seen. Increased awareness of this grossly alarming variant of benign leiomyoma can help avoid over treatment.

A rare case of disseminated cysticercosis.

Cysticercosis is a common tropical disease. One of the uncommon manifestations and a rare complication is its disseminated form (DCC). Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the common parasitic disease of the central nervous system. Human cysticercosis is caused by the dissemination of the embryo of Taenia solium in the intestine via the hepatoportal system to the tissues and organs of the body. The organs most commonly affected are the subcutaneous tissues, skeletal muscles, lungs, brain, eyes, liver, and occasionally the heart, thyroid, and pancreas. Widespread dissemination of the cysticerci can result in the involvement of almost any organ in the body. We report here a case of a 36-year-old-male with disseminated cysticercosis. He visited our hospital with symptoms of multiple palpable nodules, dementia, and confusion. After the investigations he was diagnosed with disseminated cysticercosis involving the brain, subcutaneous tissues all over the body, and the skeletal muscles. The patient was initially treated with Albendazole in a private hospital, but there was no response. Then he was treated with Praziquantel and steroids.

FNAC in the diagnosis of lymph node malignancies: A simple and sensitive tool.

CONTEXT: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the lymph node is a simple diagnostic tool to diagnose suspected and unsuspected secondary and primary lymph node malignancy. AIM: To study the utility of FNAC in the diagnosis of clinically suspected and unsuspected lymph node malignancy. DESIGN: A cross-sectional hospital based study on 50 patients diagnosed to have primary or secondary lymph node malignancy by cytology, and confirmed by histopathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lymph node aspirate smears reported as malignant were studied and the findings were correlated with histopathology. Clinical and radiological data were also noted. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data were tabulated as per the involvement of the various lymph node groups and the types of secondary and primary lymph node malignancies involved. RESULTS: 45 cases of metastatic malignancy and five cases of lymphomas were diagnosed by FNAC of lymph nodes. Histopathological correlation was available in all cases. Malignancy was clinically unsuspected in nine cases (18%). CONCLUSION: FNAC of lymph nodes is a very useful, simple and sometimes the only tool in the diagnosis of lymph node malignancies.