Evaluation of Fine Needle Biopsy (FNB) for Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-guided tissue acquisition of pancreatic masses to negate the need for rapid on-site evaluation: A randomized control trial

Background and Objectives@#The benefits of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of solid masses have not been convincingly shown in large, randomized trials. New equipment using EUS-guided fine needle biopsy (FNB) allows for more material to be acquired that may obviate the need for ROSE. This study aimed to evaluate if EUS-FNB without ROSE was non-inferior to EUS-FNA with ROSE in solid pancreatic masses (SPMs). @*Methods@#Patients with SPMs requiring tissue sampling were randomly assigned to undergo either EUS-FNA with ROSE or EUS-FNB without ROSE. The touch-imprint cytology technique was used to perform ROSE. The primary endpoint was diagnostic accuracy and secondary endpoints were specimen quality, complication rates, and procedure time. @*Results@#Seventy-eight patients were randomized and analyzed (39 EUS-FNA with ROSE and 39 EUS-FNB without ROSE). Non-significantly different diagnostic accuracies were noted in both groups (97% with ROSE and 100% without ROSE, P < 0.371). The bloodiness of histologic samples and complication rates were not significantly different between groups. A significantly shorter mean sampling procedural time was noted for EUS-FNB over EUS-FNA with ROSE (30.4 ± 10.4 vs 35.8 ± 9.8 minutes, P < .02). @*Conclusions@#EUS-FNB demonstrated equal diagnostic accuracy with shorter procedure times in evaluating SPMs compared to EUS-FNA with ROSE. These new-generation FNB needles may obviate the need for ROSE.

Risk of malignancy and diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in thyroid nodules with diameters greater than 4 centimeters

ABSTRACT Objective: The risk of malignancy and diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of thyroid nodules (TN) with diameters ≥ 3-4 cm remains controversial. However, some groups have indicated surgical treatment in these patients regardless of the FNAB results. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the FNAB in systematically resected ≥4 cm TN and if the risk of malignancy is higher in these patients. Subjects and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 138 patients (142 nodules) with TN with diameters ≥4 cm who underwent thyroidectomy. Results: The FNAB results were nondiagnostic/unsatisfactory (ND/UNS) in 2.1% of the cases and benign in 51.4%. They indicated atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) in 23.9% of cases, follicular neoplasia/suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) in 9.2%, suspicion of malignancy (SUS) in 8.5%, and malignant in 4.9%. The histopathological analysis after thyroidectomy revealed a thyroid cancer rate of 100% in the FNABs classified as malignant, 33.3% in SUS cases, 7.7% in FN/SFN, 17.6% in AUS/FLUS, and 4.1% in benign FNABs. None of the ND/UNS FNABs were malignant. The global malignancy diagnosis was 14.8% (n = 21). However, the rate of false negatives for FNAB was low (4.1%). Conclusion: We showed that the risk of malignancy in nodules with diameters ≥4 cm was higher compared to the risk of thyroid cancer in TN in general. However, we found a low rate of false-negative cytological results; therefore, our data do not justify the orientation of routine resection for these larger nodules.

Revisión sistemática de la exactitud diagnóstica de la gota gruesa en comparación con la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa para malaria asociada al embarazo, 2010-2022 / Systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of thick smear compared to polymerase chain reaction for pregnancy-associated malaria, 2010-2022

RESUMEN Objetivos. Evaluar la exactitud de gota gruesa (GG) frente a la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) cuantitativa para la malaria asociada al embarazo (MAE). Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una revisión sistemática de pruebas diagnósticas en nueve bases de datos. Se evaluó la calidad metodológica con QUADAS. Se estimó sensibilidad, especificidad, cociente de probabilidad positivo (CPP) y negativo (CPN), razón de odds diagnóstica (ORD) y área bajo la curva ROC. Se determinó la heterogeneidad con el estadístico Q de Der Simonian-Laird y la incertidumbre con el porcentaje de peso de cada estudio sobre el resultado global. Resultados. Se incluyeron diez estudios con 5691 gestantes, 1415 placentas y 84 neonatos. En los estudios con nPCR (PCR anidada) y qPCR (PCR cuantitativa) como estándar, los resultados de exactitud diagnóstica fueron estadísticamente similares, con sensibilidad muy baja (50 y 54%, respectivamente), alta especificidad (99% en ambos casos), alto CPP y deficiente CPN. Usando nPCR la OR diagnóstica fue 162 (IC95%=66-401) y el área bajo la curva ROC fue 95%, mientras que con qPCR fueron 231 (IC95%=27-1951) y 78%, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Mediante un protocolo exhaustivo se demostró el bajo desarrollo de investigaciones sobre la exactitud diagnóstica de la GG en MAE. Se demostró que la microscopía tiene un desempeño deficiente para el diagnóstico de infecciones asintomáticas o de baja parasitemia, lo que afianza la importancia de implementar otro tipo de técnicas en el seguimiento y control de las infecciones por malaria en las gestantes, con el fin de lograr el control y posible eliminación de la MAE.

ABSTRACT Objective. To evaluate the accuracy of thick smear (TS) versus quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM). Materials and methods. We carried out a systematic review of diagnostic tests in nine databases. Methodological quality was evaluated with QUADAS. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under the ROC curve were estimated. Heterogeneity was determined with the Der Simonian-Laird Q method and uncertainty with the weighted percentage of each study on the overall result. Results. We included 10 studies with 5691 pregnant women, 1415 placentas and 84 neonates. In the studies with nested PCR (nPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) as the standard, the diagnostic accuracy results were statistically similar, with very low sensitivity (50 and 54%, respectively), high specificity (99% in both cases), high PLR and poor NLR. When nPCR was used, the DOR was 162 (95%CI=66-401) and the area under the ROC curve was 95%, while with qPCR it was 231 (95%CI=27-1951) and 78%, respectively. Conclusions. We demonstrated that research on the diagnostic accuracy of TS in PAM is limited. Microscopy showed poor performance in the diagnosis of asymptomatic or low parasitemia infections, which reinforces the importance of implementing other types of techniques for the follow-up and control of malaria infections in pregnant women, in order to achieve the control and possible elimination of PAM.

Diagnostic Significance Of Adenosine Deaminase And Lymphocytes In Suspected Tuberculous Pleural Effusion

CONTEXT: Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in India. Tuberculous pleural effusion is a paucibacillary manifestation of the Tuberculosis, so isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is difficult, biomarkers being an alternative for diagnosis. Pleural fluid Adenosine deaminase (ADA) level is being used in diagnosis of Tubercular pleural effusion. The combination of ADA and pleural fluid lymphocyte count is being recognized as a better method for increasing the specificity of ADA test. The present study was conducted to analyze the diagnostic usefulness ofAIM: ADA alone (? 40U/L) compared with the combination of ADA and pleural fluid lymphocyte count ( ? 50% ). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: METHODS AND MATERIAL:Retrospective study. Study was conducted for a period of one year from May 2017 to April 2018. A total of 110 pleural fluid samples data was analysed. SPSS 20STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: statistical software. ADA level in Tuberculous pleural effusion ranged from 40U/L to 112U/L with mean value ofRESULTS: 69.4U/L. Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive predictive valve (PPV) and Negative predictive values (NPV) for ADA alone were 93.2%, 76.4%, 82% and 90.6% respectively. For ADA and lymphocyte count the Specificity and PPV increased (98% and 98.1% respectively) with hardly any decrease in sensitivity or NPV (89.8% and 89.5% respectively). CONCLUSION: Combined use of ADA and pleural fluid lymphocyte count increases the specificity and PPV when compared to the specificity of ADA test alone in diagnosing Tubercular pleural effusion

Valor diagnóstico de la electroforesis de proteínas y cadenas ligeras libres en suero en el mieloma múltiple / Diagnostic value of serum protein electrophoresis and free light chains in the multiple myeloma's diagnosis

RESUMEN Fundamento: La electroforesis de proteínas y las cadenas ligeras libres en suero son técnicas utilizadas en el diagnóstico del mieloma múltiple. Sin embargo, la utilidad diagnóstica de ambas pruebas puede variar según el método empleado y condiciones reales del medio donde se realicen. Objetivo: Determinar el valor diagnóstico de la electroforesis de proteínas y de las cadenas ligeras libres en suero en el mieloma múltiple. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de los parámetros electroforesis de proteínas en suero y cadenas ligeras libres en suero a 43 pacientes con diagnóstico de mieloma múltiple por evaluación de la médula ósea. La electroforesis de proteínas se realizó por el método convencional de separación de proteínas sobre papel de acetato de celulosa y para las cadenas ligeras libres se aplicó un ensayo inmunoturbidimétrico en el que se usó un analizador químico (Cobas 311). Se calcularon 7 parámetros que evaluaron la exactitud diagnóstica. Resultados: Todos los parámetros que evaluaron la exactitud diagnóstica estuvieron dentro de los intervalos de confianza en ambas pruebas. Conclusiones: La electroforesis de proteínas y las cadenas ligeras libres en suero son ensayos de gran utilidad en el diagnóstico del mieloma múltiple y se deben utilizar en conjunto para la mayor captación posible de casos.

ABSTRACT Background: Protein electrophoresis and serum free light chains are techniques used in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. However, the diagnostic utility of both tests may vary according to the method used and the actual conditions of the environment where they are performed. Objective: To determine the diagnostic value of protein electrophoresis and serum free light chains in multiple myeloma. Methodology: A retrospective study of serum protein electrophoresis parameters and serum free light chains was conducted in 43 patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma by bone marrow evaluation. Protein electrophoresis was completed by the conventional method of protein separation on cellulose acetate paper and for free light chains an immunoturbidimetric assay was applied in which a chemical analyzer (Cobas 311) was used. Seven parameters were calculated to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. Results: All parameters assessing diagnostic accuracy were within confidence intervals in both tests. Conclusions: Protein electrophoresis and serum free light chains are very useful assays in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma and should be used in conjunction for the highest possible approval of cases.

Exactitud diagnóstica de la tomografía computarizada en la estadificación del cáncer de colon / Diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography in colon cancer staging

Resumen Introducción: Una terapia emergente para el cáncer de colon es la neoadyuvancia, en casos seleccionados. Dicha selección se basa en el análisis preoperatorio de imágenes mediante tomografía computada. Objetivo: Nuestro objetivo es determinar la exactitud diagnóstica del examen para estadificar el cáncer de colon y su correlación entre radiólogos expertos. Materiales y Método: Estudio de exactitud diagnóstica. Previo cálculo muestral se seleccionaron aleatoriamente 47 pacientes con adenocarcinoma colónico resecado con intención curativa e imágenes hasta 60 días previo cirugía. Se evaluó profundidad de invasión tumoral e invasión linfonodal por 2 radiólogos expertos y ciegos entre sí. Las diferencias fueron auditadas por un tercer radiólogo experto. Se compararon resultados con la biopsia, calculando la sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo negativo, valor predictivo positivo y exactitud diagnóstica del examen. Se calculó la concordancia entre radiólogos mediante el índice de kappa. Resultados: La exactitud para diferenciar tumores T3-T4 de T1-T2 fue del 89,4%. En cambio, la capacidad para diferenciar tumores T4 de los T3 fue de un 65,9%. La exactitud para determinar un N (+) fue de un 66%. La concordancia entre radiólogos fue de 0,929 para identificar tumores T1-2, de 0,602 para T3, de 0,584 para T4. Para determinar un N (+), la concordancia fue de 0,521. Conclusión: La exactitud diagnóstica de la tomografía computada en cáncer de colon es adecuada para distinguir tumores avanzados. Sin embargo, su capacidad para discriminar entre T3 y T4, los N (+) y la baja concordancia entre radiólogos, sugiere la necesidad de buscar técnicas imagenológicas complementarias.

Introduction: Neoadjuvant therapy is an emerging treatment for selected cases of colon cancer. The decision is based on the analysis of preoperative images taken by computed tomography. However, its ability to discriminate those who could benefit from this therapy is unknown. Aim: Our objective is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography to evaluate the colon cancer stage and its correlation among expert radiologists. Materials and Method: Diagnostic accuracy study. After sample size calculation, we randomly selected 47 patients who underwent a colonic adenocarcinoma resection with curative intent and had available images up to 60 days after surgery. The depth of tumor and lymph nodal invasion were evaluated by two expert radiologists, blinded to each other. The differences between radiologists were audited by a third one. The results were correlated with biopsy as the gold standard. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography. The agreement between radiologists was calculated using the kappa index. Results: The accuracy to differentiate T3-T4 tumors from T1-T2 was 89.4%. In contrast, ability to differentiate T4 tumors from T3 tumors was 65.9%. The accuracy to determine an N (+) was 66%. Agreement between radiologists was 0.929 to identify T1-2, 0.602 for T3, 0.584 for T4 tumors. To determine an N (+), the concordance was 0.521. Conclusion: Diagnostic computed tomography accuracy in colon cancer is adequate to differentiate advanced tumors. However, its ability to discriminate between T3 and T4, N (+) and the low agreement between radiologists suggests the need for complementary imaging techniques.

Study Designs: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnostic tests are evolving with betterment of technology, quest for patient safety with less invasive medicine, and evolution of new diseases. It is important to assess diagnostic accuracy of a new test, and clinical impact of introduction of new test on outcomes and cost. A diagnostic study is planned for the index test based on place of new test in diagnostic pathway (screening, triage, diagnostic or add-on test) and established information of the test. A reference standard is used to classify population into diseased and healthy, and the discriminating ability of index test is measured. A sample size is calculated for expected sensitivity/specificity, margin of error and prevalence of disease in population. For dichotomous outcomes, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratio are used to describe diagnostic accuracy. Efforts should be made to avoid common forms of bias including spectrum bias and partial verification bias, and blinding of observers should preferably be done.

Diagnostic accuracy of Rapid Antigen Test in detecting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) Infection

@#<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Improving the means to detect SARS-COV-2 infection is important in the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. STANDARDTM Q COVID-19 Ag Test offers an easy to use, cheap and rapid way of testing that must be evaluated first to optimize its utility.</p><p><strong>OBJECTIVES: </strong>This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of this test kit compared with Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-COV-2 diagnosis.</p><p><strong>METHODS</strong>: Using retrospective cross-sectional study, seventy seven (77) nasopharyngeal swabs in viral transport media were used to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of STANDARDTM Q COVID-19 Ag Test compared with the reference method, RT-PCR.</p><p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Among all participants, the rapid antigen test has a sensitivity of 9.86%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 8.57%. The sensitivity increases among symptomatic participants and when Ct value is less than 20 to 25.00% and 31.58%, respectively.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Despite the low sensitivity, STANDARDTM Q COVID-19 Ag Test has a high specificity and positive predictive value and could be a cheap and efficient test in the proper clinical context. Its use in conjunction with RT-PCR for those who tested negative initially should be emphasized in the implementation of the existing policies.</p>

A Prospective Study to Improve the Yield of Esophagogastroduodenoscopy at a Tertiary Hospital in India

Background: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)is an efficient tool for diagnosis, screening and therapy. However, it must be used efficiently, to maximize value for costs and reduce complications. Many centers have adopted an open-access referral policy, resulting in increased costs, waiting times and clinical workload. When EGD is used for screening of common symptoms like dyspepsia by medical and paramedical personnel, the yield is less than 50%.We planned a study to differentiate disease from non-diseased findings and improve the diagnostic yield of EGD. Methods: The clinical history and examination of 150 patients of a tertiary care hospital in north India over 2 years wasrecorded. EGD when indicated by any clinician or desired by a patient was performed by a consultant, using topical anaesthesia.The outcome of the endoscopy was categorized as positive, if there was significant finding. Less severe and equivocal findings such as gastritis, duodenitis were not considered positive for the purpose of this study. Logistic regression (forward LR score) was used; the coefficient of regressionwas used to assign a score for each symptom. Results: Pain was the most common symptom; in 110 patients (77.3%) the endoscopy showed no significant findings. Significant findings were seen in 34 patients giving a diagnostic yield of 22.7%. Clinical features like weight loss, hematemesis, melena, dysphagia, anemia, abdominal distention, ascites, and abdominal lump significantly discriminated and pointed towards a positive endoscopic finding. Pain was not a good discriminating factor; dysphagia, presence of ascites and the presence of abdominal lump independently predict significant endoscopic findings. At a total score of 4 or less endoscopy could be avoided in 75 (50%) of the patients. A score of 5 yielded a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 71%. For picking up a positive finding. All 11 patients with malignancy had a score >5. Conclusions: Our findings suggest selection of patients for EGD can be improved based on a scoring system. It also provides a basis for prospective studies which can lead to better use of resources in future.

Validade e reprodutibilidade do Teste Avaliativo de DTM: um estudo de acurácia diagnóstica / Validity and reproducibility of the TMD Assessment Test: diagnostic accuracy study

INTRODUÇÃO: Disfunções temporomandibulares (DTM) são distúrbios na ATM, sendo de origem muscular, articular ou mista, e com íntima relação com alterações posturais. Instrumentos de diagnóstico apresentam lacunas quanto à aplicação clínica e não associam à postura. OBJETIVO: Validar o Teste Avaliativo de DTM (TAvDTM) quanto à acurácia diagnóstica e reprodutibilidade. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo de acurácia diagnóstica com indivíduos entre 18 e 59 anos avaliados pelo Índice Anamnésico de Fonseca (IAF), questionário sociodemográfico e TAvDTM, este último realizado por três examinadores diferentes e treinados. O resultado da categorização do diagnóstico do IAF foi comparado com o resultado do TAvDTM. Para acurácia diagnóstica utilizou-se teste Qui-Quadrado. Valores Preditivos Positivos (VPP) e Negativos (VPN) foram determinados. A reprodutibilidade entre os três examinadores foi feita por meio do Kappa de Cohen, para análise 2x2 e de Fleiss. Todos os testes com significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Dos 10 participantes avaliados, o IAF identificou 8 com diagnóstico de DTM, enquanto o TAvDTM verificou 9 participantes com presença desta disfunção. A sensibilidade foi de 100%, especificidade de 50%, VPP de 88% e VPN de 50%. O Kappa de Fleiss evidenciou confiabilidade razoável (K = 0,26 [IC 95%: -0,099 ­ 0,617]; p>0,05). O Kappa de Cohen mostrou reprodutibilidade insignificante entre os avaliadores 1 e 2 (K=-0,11; p>0,05; discordância=80%), e 1 e 3 (K= -0,11; p>0,05; discordância=80%), reprodutibilidade perfeita entre os avaliadores 2 e 3 (K=1,00; p<0,05; concordância=100%). CONCLUSÃO: O TAvDTM apresenta alta sensibilidade e baixa especificidade, porém com baixa capacidade de reprodução até o presente momento.

INTRODUCTION: Temporomandibular disorders are TMJ disorders of muscular, articular, or mixed origin and closely related to postural alterations. Diagnostic tools have gaps regarding clinical application and do not associate posture. OBJECTIVE: Validate the TMD Assessment Test (TMDAsT) regarding its diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diagnostic accuracy study with individuals between 18 and 59 years old evaluated by the Fonseca Assessment Index (FAI), sociodemographic questionnaire, and TMDAsT, the latter performed by three different trained examiners. The result of FAI diagnosis categorization was compared with the result of TMDAsT. A Chi-square test was used for diagnostic accuracy. Positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were determined. The Kappa of Fleiss did the reproducibility between three examiners. Cohen's Kappa, for 2x2 analysis. All tests with 5% significance. RESULTS: Of the 10 participants assessed, FAI identified 8 participants with a TMD diagnosis while the TMDAsT verified 9 participants with this dysfunction. Sensitivity was 100%, specificity 50%, PPV 88% and NPV 50%. Fleiss' Kappa showed reasonable reliability (K = 0.26 [95% CI: -0.099 - 0.617]; p>0.05). Cohen's Kappa showed insignificant reproducibility between observers 1 and 2 (K=-0.11; p>0.05; discordance=80%), and 1 and 3 (K= -0.11; p>0.05; discordance=80%), perfect reproducibility between observers 2 and 3 (K=1.00; p<0.05; concordance=100%). CONCLUSION: TMDAsT presents high sensitivity and low specificity but with low reproducibility until the present moment.

Expert consensus on clinical application of sentinel lymph node biopsy for cervical cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

Cervical cancer is a common gynecologic malignancy. Most patients with early-stage cervical cancer received unnecessary systemic pelvic lymphadenectomy, which increased the risk of surgical complications. At present, sentinel lymph node biopsy has been applied in the clinical practice of cervical cancer abroad, however it is still at the starting stage in China in need of application and promotion. The Obstetrics and Gynecology Committee of Chinese Research Hospital Association invited domestic experts in the field of gynecologic oncology to discuss the application value, patient evaluation, technical methods, operation steps, pathological examination and many other key points of sentinel lymph node biopsy based on the current research status, and reached the consensus of clinical application on sentinel lymph node biopsy in cervical cancer to guide the standardized application of the technique in China.

Immunohistochemical expression of CK19, AR, PHLDA1, CD10 and Ki67 in the differentiation between Trichoepithelioma and Basal Cell Carcinoma: A systematic review

Background@#Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and trichoepithelioma (TE) are follicular adnexal neoplasms that arise from the follicular germ but with divergent biological behavior. The gold standard in the differentiation is through histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stain. There are cases, however, when the distinction is not straightforward. @*Objective@#To assess the association and diagnostic accuracy of the immunohistochemical (IHC) expressions of CD10, Ki67, CK19, androgen receptor (AR), and PHLDA1 in distinguishing between basal cell carcinoma and trichoepithelioma. @*Methods@#We conducted a comprehensive search on cross-sectional studies on human tissue from 2000 to 2020 in MEDLINE (PubMed), CENTRAL and EMBASE for comparative studies and reference lists. The data were summarized and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and RevMan. We used Chi-square test for independence, summary receiver operator curves (sROC), and diagnostic odds ratio (OR). @*Results@#We included 15 articles containing 686 BCC and 367 TE in the systematic review. The pooled staining of biomarkers showed a significant difference in the staining of CK19 (p<0.05) and AR (p<0.0001), and PHLDA1 (p<0.0001). Diagnostic odds ratio was used to confirm these associations. AR was found to have the highest odds in the diagnosis of BCC (OR 27.92, 95% CI 10.69, 72.86). The pattern of staining of CD10 is significant (p<0.001) with staining of both tumor and stroma (OR 8.09, 95% CI 4.57, 13.53) and staining of tumor alone (OR 8.15, 95% CI 4.56, 14.35) (p<0.001) in the diagnosis of BCC. CD10 stromal staining, on the other hand, is significantly associated with the diagnosis of TE (OR 7.26, 95% CI 5.06, 10.44) (p<0.0001). There is no significant association between Ki67 staining (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.48, 3.09) (p=0.67) and the diagnosis of BCC. The forest plot and sROC showed that AR had high specificity across all included studies in the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma, while PHLDA1 demonstrated high specificity and high sensitivity in diagnosing trichoepithelioma. @*Conclusion@#The biomarkers AR and PHLDA1 are useful as an initial panel to distinguish between BCC and TE, given that both showed high sensitivity as well as significant association with BCC and TE respectively. CD10 and CK19 may also be used with AR and PHLDA1 for further confirmation.

Role of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in the Diagnosis of Parotid Gland Tumors: Analysis of 193 Cases

Abstract Introduction Parotid gland tumors include a wide variety of inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. The majority of these tumors are benign (80%), which usually require superficial parotidectomy, while the incidence of malignant tumors is lower (20%), requiring more radical surgery with or without neck dissection. The diagnosis cannot be established on the basis of clinical history and simple physical examination and requires complementary diagnostic methods. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) guided by ultrasound is a widely used diagnostic tool to evaluate parotid swellings. Objective To determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of FNAC in the diagnosis of parotid gland tumors. Methods A retrospective chart review of 193 patients who underwent preoperative FNAC and parotidectomy at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from the period of January 2000 to December 2015 was performed. Results Out of 193 patients undergoing parotidectomy, 110 (57%) were males and 83 (43%) were females, the mean age being 48.21 and 43.76 years old, respectively. The mean duration of the symptoms was 41.33 months, and the most common symptom was preauricular swelling present in all patients, followed by pain, which was present in 29 patients (15%) and facial nerve weakness in 6 patients (3.1%). Fine needle aspiration cytology was performed preoperatively and the results were compared with the final histopathology, which showed sensitivity of 88.9%, specificity of 97.9%, positive predictive value of 93%, negative predictive value of 96.7% and diagnostic accuracy of 95.8%. Conclusion Our results suggest that FNAC is relatively an accurate method for preoperative diagnosis of parotid swelling and can prove to be a valuable tool for preoperative counseling of the nature of the disease and prognosis.

Correlation between ultrasonographic and histopathological findings of hysterectomy specimen in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: AUB is a common and debilitating condition and it is one of the main gynaecological reasons for hysterectomy. Ultrasonography can be as good as histopathology (HPE) in the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding. Hence, our study was conducted to validate the ultrasonographic findings with HPE findings in diagnosis of AUB.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 86 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in collaboration with department of Pathology, RIMS, Imphal from September 2017 to March 2019. The clinical history and socio demographic profile were collected using a pre-designed proforma. General physical examination, pelvic examination and ultrasonagraphy was carried out and the hysterectomy specimens were subjected to histopathological examination.Results: Fibromyoma was diagnosed by ultrasound in 62.8% of the patients and it was the common diagnosis in this study. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and kappa statistics of USG for diagnosing leiomyoma was 92.9%, 93.3%, 96.3%, 87.5% and 84.9% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and kappa statistics of USG for diagnosing adenomyosis was 53.8%, 98.6%, 87.5%, 92.3% and 62.3% respectively.Conclusions: The study provides an evidence that ultrasonography has good diagnostic accuracy as histopathology in the diagnosis of fibroid in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. However, as with all the diagnostic procedures, the utility of ultrasound in the diagnosis of adenomyosis is questionable, since it has a low sensitivity amidst good specificity.

Accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography in measuring the thickness of radicular dentin

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in measuring radicular dentin thickness focused on intraradicular post placement planning treatment. Ten single-rooted human premolars were selected. The teeth were divided into three segments (cervical, middle and apical). The coronal face of the apical and middle sections was selected for the dentin thickness assessment; which was measured from the external root surface to the root canal wall, on the buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal surfaces of each tooth. In situ anatomical measurement was the reference standard, and the corresponding axial CBCT imaging were evaluated by the i-CAT software. The one-way ANOVA test and the Bonferroni post hoc test were applied to compare the groups (p>0.05). CBCT imaging measurements (p=0.003) overestimated the radicular dentin thickness compared to the reference standard. Descriptive analysis showed that the greatest difference between the reference standard and the tomographic measurement means were 0.20 mm. One-way ANOVA test found the statistical significant difference among group's measurements. Bonferroni correction demonstrated statistically significant difference only related lingual surface for the CBCT imaging measurements. CBCT imaging measurements overestimated the radicular dentin thickness. However, the measurement difference was clinically acceptable.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a precisão da Tomografia Computadorizada de Feixe Cônico (TCFC) na mensuração da espessura da dentina radicular no planejamento de tratamento envolvendo a cimentação de pinos intrarradiculares. Dez pré-molares humanos unirradiculares foram selecionados. Os dentes foram divididos em três segmentos (cervical, médio e apical). A face coronal dos terços apical e médio foi selecionada para a avaliação da espessura da dentina; que foi medida a partir da superfície externa da raiz até a parede do canal radicular, nas superfícies vestibular, lingual, mesial e distal de cada dente. A medida anatômica in situ foi o padrão de referência, e a imagem de TCFC axial correspondente foi avaliada pelo software i-CAT. O teste de 1-fator ANOVA e o teste post hoc de Bonferroni foram aplicados para comparar os grupos (p>0,05). As medidas de imagem da TCFC (p=0,003) superestimaram a espessura da dentina radicular em comparação a referência padrão. A análise descritiva mostrou que a maior diferença entre a referência padrão e a medida tomográfica foi de 0,20 mm. O teste ANOVA encontrou a diferença de significância estatística entre as medidas do grupo. A correção de Bonferroni demonstrou diferença estatisticamente significante apenas relacionada às medidas de imagem da TCFC. A medida de imagem da TCFC superestimou a espessura da dentina radicular. No entanto, a diferença de medição foi clinicamente aceitável.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP), for Cartilage Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background:Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), is an extracellular matrix (ECM) non-collagenous glycoprotein that is mainly localized within the cartilage, and also be found in tendon and synovium.RecentstudiesinwestandAsiaPacificregionhasshownthatCOMP, is a prognostic marker in Rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Objective:To correlate serum COMP levels with disease severity and cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.Methods:The study was conducted in Department of Pathology and Rheumatology, Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi from June 2018 to May 2019. Patients were recruited as per American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 classification criteria. The study populationconsists of 88 healthy subjects and 88 RA patients. Sandwich ELISA technique was used to assess serum COMP level. Other inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) antibodies like rheumatoid factor, and anti-cyclic citrullinated protein (anti-CCP) were also assessed. Results were analyzed using SPSS-20 and P-value ≤0.05 was considered as significant.Results: Serum COMP levels were significantly higher in RA patients 51.35ng/ml than controls 21.454ng/ml with significant p value=<0.0001. There was strong positive correlation between COMP level and disease severity in RA patients with moderate as well as high disease activity score (DAS) with significant p value. Serum COMP showed 96% sensitivity and 83% specificity at level of 27.01ng/ml for diagnosis of RA.Conclusions:COMP has significant positive correlation with severity of RA. Serum COMP can be utilized as a biomarker to quantify cartilage destruction in RA patients

Diagnostic utility of fine needle aspiration cytology in thyroid lesions

Background: Thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an important screening tool and thereby dictates clinical management. The exclusion of non-invasive follicular variant of papillary carcinoma (NIFVPTC) from thyroid malignancies and its reclassification as non-malignant entity i.e., non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary like nuclear features (NIFTP) has added a new dimension. Aim of this study was to study the role of fine needle aspiration cytology in screening thyroid lesions by correlation with histopathological examination and to calculate diagnostic accuracy of FNAC considering NIFTP as non-malignant and compare it with pre NIFTP era.Methods: It was an observational study done over a period of 2 years (2017-2018). It included the cases where FNAC was followed subsequently by histopathology. FNAC results were correlated with histopathological diagnosis established thereof.Results: A total of 107 patients were included in this study. Considering NIFTP as non-malignant, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy were 92.97%, 100%, 100%, 92.73% and 96.23% respectively, that is significantly higher if authors considered NIFTP as malignant.Conclusions: FNAC plays an indispensable role in making preliminary diagnosis in thyroid lesions. There is a notable increase in diagnostic accuracy of FNAC in thyroid lesions and significant decrease in risk of malignancy by considering NIFTP as non-malignant.

Exactitud diagnóstica de la Escala de Depresión Posnatal de Edimburgo: consecuencias del tamizaje en mujeres mexicanas / Diagnostic accuracy of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: consequences of screening in Mexican women

Resumen Introducción: La depresión posparto es un episodio depresivo no psicótico con repercusiones graves en el vínculo de la madre con su hijo, de ahí la importancia de detectarla oportunamente. Objetivo: Determinar la exactitud de la Escala de Depresión Posnatal de Edimburgo como prueba diagnóstica y analizar las consecuencias del tamizaje y la probabilidad de depresión después de aplicar la prueba. Método: Tamizaje con la Escala de Depresión Posnatal de Edimburgo a 411 mujeres durante el posparto; se utilizó el Inventario de Depresión de Beck como referencia. Resultados: En un punto de corte de 12, con la Escala de Depresión Posnatal de Edimburgo se obtuvo sensibilidad de 70.4 %, especificidad de 72.2 %, valor predictivo positivo de 36.9 % y valor predictivo negativo de 91.4 %, así como un valor del área bajo la curva de 0.729 y p = 0.0003. De 49 mujeres sin atención para depresión posparto, en cinco se identificó que la necesitaban. Conclusiones: La Escala de Depresión Posnatal de Edimburgo tiene una exactitud moderada; su aplicación es sencilla, accesible y debería ser rutinaria. Es necesario que en México se implementen estrategias para detectar y tratar la depresión posparto.

Abstract Introduction Postpartum depression is a non-psychotic depressive episode with serious repercussions on the bond between the mother and her child, hence the importance of detecting it in a timely manner. Objective: To determine the accuracy of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale as a diagnostic test and to analyze the consequences of screening and the probability of depression after applying the test. Method: Screening of 411 women with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale during the postpartum period; Beck's Depression Inventory was used as reference. Results: At a cutoff point of 12, a sensitivity of 70.4 %, specificity of 72.2 %, positive predictive value of 36.9 % and negative predictive value of 91.4 % were obtained with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, as well as an area under the curve of 0.729 and a p-value of 0.0003. Out of 49 women without treatment for postpartum depression, five were identified to require it. Conclusions: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale has moderate accuracy; its application is simple, accessible and should be routine. It is necessary for strategies to detect and treat postpartum depression to be implemented in Mexico.

Brazilian version of the European Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB-BR): diagnostic accuracy across schooling levels

Objective: To translate, establish the diagnostic accuracy, and standardize the Brazilian Portuguese version of the European Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB) considering schooling level. Methods: We first completed an English-Brazilian Portuguese translation and back-translation of the CNTB. A total of 135 subjects aged over 60 years - 65 cognitively healthy (mean 72.83, SD = 7.71; mean education 9.42, SD = 7.69; illiterate = 25.8%) and 70 with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (mean 78.87, SD = 7.09; mean education 7.62, SD = 5.13; illiterate = 10%) - completed an interview and were screened for depression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to verify the accuracy of each CNTB test to separate AD from healthy controls in participants with low levels of education (≤ 4 years of schooling) and high levels of education (≥ 8 years of schooling). The optimal cutoff score was determined for each test. Results: The Recall of Pictures Test (RPT)-delayed recall and the Enhanced Cued Recall (ECR) had the highest power to separate AD from controls. The tests with the least impact from schooling were the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS), supermarket fluency, RPT naming, delayed recall and recognition, and ECR. Conclusions: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the CNTB was well comprehended by the participants. The cognitive tests that best discriminated patients with AD from controls in lower and higher schooling participants were RPT delayed recall and ECR, both of which evaluate memory.