Liquid-based versus conventional cytology in solid pediatric neoplasm: Comparison of their diagnostic and morphological spectra.

BACKGROUND: Conventional cytology (CC) is a well-established and effective methodology for the evaluation of pediatric tumors. Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is a better technique of smear preparation and is at present the standard protocol in cervical cytology samples. AIMS: In the present study, we analyzed both smear preparatory techniques in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples from solid pediatric neoplasms in terms of adequacy and efficacy with objectives to study the changes in background and morphology of tumor cells in LBC smears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital, which included 52 pediatric patients with clinical diagnosis of malignancy and an assessable lump. Both conventional aspiration cytology and LBC smears were prepared as per standard protocols (SurePath BD™) from FNA samples of cases and examined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: On comparing the diagnostic efficacy of cytology smears prepared by both techniques, LBC alone was diagnostic in 80.8% of the cases and conventional smear (CS) alone was diagnostic in 71.2% of the cases (agreement was 83.7%, P = 0.3). Cellular morphology was better preserved in LBC and interpretation was easier. There was a lower inadequacy rate in LBC and none of the samples was inadequate due to poor morphology in LBC smears (P = 0.0003). LBC showed an overall 40% improvement in inadequate cases by CS. LBC has been recommended as a complement to CC in nongynecological samples. Improved morphology and lower inadequacy rate make LBC a finer technique compared to CS in pediatric tumors as well.

An Unusual Cause of Respiratory Distress: Solitary Tracheopathia Osteochondoplastica-A Rare Entity.

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TPO), a rare disorder of obscure etiology, is characterized by multiple osseous and cartilaginous nodules in the submucosa of the trachea and main bronchi. This entity commonly presents as diffuse involvement of the trachea, main bronchus or both, but a localized involvement of the airway mucosa is rare. Most of these cases are asymptomatic, and are detected incidentally on intubation, radiological imaging, or bronchoscopy performed for other indications, or on autopsy. We present the case of a 30-year-old man diagnosed with a solitary TPO.

Invasive intestinal myiasis in a young male presenting as fungating rectal mass: an unusual presentation.

Intestinal myiasis is usually an accidental phenomenon which is transient and asymptomatic. It occurs due to intake of contaminated food or water containing fly larvae or eggs. We report a case of invasive intestinal myiasis presenting with complaint of pain, blood-mixed mucous discharge per rectum along with passage of maggots in stool. On proctoscopy an irregular fungating rectal growth with maggots was detected in rectum and anal canal. Excision of growth with diversion colostomy was done. On histopathology numerous variable-sized larvae in different stages of development were detected throughout the inflamed and necrosed bowel wall. No tumor was seen. With maintenance of proper hygiene, vermicide anti inflammatory and purgatives were given. Patient became alright after colostomy closure. The symptomatic presentation as a mass lesion and necessity for surgical intervention prompted us to report this rare case.

Diet, obesity, and prostate health: are we missing the link?

Prostate problems, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasia, prostatitis, and prostate cancer have been recognized as problems largely related to androgens and genetic factors. They affect a large fraction of the elderly population, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Estrogen has also now been recognized as one of the important regulators of prostate growth. Diet, general health, and obesity were disregarded as the causative or complicating factors until very recently. Increasing episodes of prostate problems, complications in overweight/obese individuals, or both have attracted attention toward these contemporary risk factors. Prostate problems are reportedly less frequent or less severe in areas in which a plant-based diet is predominant. Consumption of certain fatty acids, particularly of animal origin, has been correlated with increased prostate problems. As adipose tissue is increasingly being regarded as hormonally active tissue, high body fat and obesity need in-depth exploration to understand the associated risk of prostate problems. Adipose tissue is now known to affect circulating levels of several bioactive messengers and therefore could affect the risk of developing prostate problems in addition to several other well-recognized health problems. Nevertheless, increased plasma volume, excess tissue growth, and fat deposition could affect resection and number of biopsies required, thus adding further complications because of a delayed diagnosis. In short, evidence is gathering to support the influence of diet and obesity on prostate health. In this review article, we have tried to make this connection more apparent using supporting published data.

Salivary duct carcinoma of the larynx: report of a rare case.

Salivary duct carcinomas are primarily high-grade, aggressive malignancies that affect men in the fifth and sixth decades of life. These tumors are usually found in the major salivary glands; rarely do they originate in the minor salivary glands. The distinctive feature of these neoplasms is their remarkable histologic resemblance to infiltrating ductal carcinomas of the mammary gland; both types of tumor feature epithelial and myoepithelial cells arrayed in solid, papillary, and cribriform patterns. To the best of our knowledge, only one case of a primary salivary duct carcinoma of the larynx has been previously reported. In this article, we describe a new case, and we review the literature on salivary duct carcinomas.