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Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology is an indispensible technique, both as a modality of pre-therapeutic investigation and also in diagnosing recurrences. The role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosing malignant tumours is recorded. Yet it is not always possible to arrive at a definitive diagnosis based on FNAC alone. Certain pitfalls are there in conventionally assessed FNA smears. Often, they contain very less quantity of tissue material and the relative absence of recognizable tissue architecture in cytology smears often makes diagnosis very difficult.Fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears prepared through conventional method, often contain well preserved viable tissue fragments which are intact (tissue microbiopsies). Micro biopsies are defined as well preserved viable tissue fragments obtained on cytology smears. They will provide information on the tissue architecture and thereby contribute to the tumour ontogeny. This study was done to assess the significance of the presence of microbiopsies in conventional/guided FNAC in giving a more precise diagnosis. Aim: To Study the Significance of Tissue Microbiopsies in Conventional/Guided Fine needle aspiration Cytology preparation and to assess the utility of the microbiopsy fragments in giving a precise cytological diagnosis. Methods: A prospective study of significance of tissue microbiopsies in fine needle aspiration cytology were studied and interpreted during the period from June 2014 to June 2015 in the Cytopathology laboratory of the Department of Pathology, Tirunelveli Medical College, Tirunelveli. 100 cases with clinically palpable Swellings were studied. Results: Out of 100 cases, 82% of cases were coming under the category of conventional FNAC, 10% of the cases were USG guided and 8% were falling under CT guided FNAC. Lymph nodes had the highest yield of microbiopsies, with 34 cases (34%), followed by breast 24 cases, thyroid 11 cases, lung 8 cases, salivary gland 7 cases, liver and bone and soft tissue 4 cases each, abdominal mass 3 cases, pancreas 2 cases, and ovary, spleen, and anterior mediastinum 1 case each. There were 56 percent malignant cases and 44 percent benign instances out of a total of 100 cases. There were 56 malignant tumours in total, with 41 (73.2%) being primary tumours and 15 (26.8%) being metastatic tumours. Conclusion: FNA smears containing microbiopsies are of more help in establishing confirm diagnosis, typing of tumour, and predicting possible primary sites in cases of metastatic tumors which were not possible by cytology alone. Hence, this technique can be used to increase the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC, if put into practice in evaluation of routine cytology sample. Whatever be the types of FNAC, conventional, CT or USG guided, fine needle aspiration cytology aspirate with tissue microbiopsy is an effective tool in evaluating and diagnosing suspected lumps or masses.

INTRODUCTION: Appendix in a nger like projection situated just near the caecum. It is located in the right iliac fossa of the abdomen. The most common pathology which arises is appendicitis and is mostly treated surgically. Although appendix is considered to be a vestigial organ, it accounts for immune function upto some extent. OBJECTIVES: To study and analyse the various histopathological forms of appendicitis MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: A descriptive study was undertaken to analyse the different histopathological forms of appendicitis over a period of one year in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Omandurar Government Estate. The acquired data was fed into Microsoft Excel and analysis was done. RESULT: A total of 100 specimens were analysed during the study period. Maximum number of cases (62% of cases) were reported amongst females. The most common age group which was affected was 9 years to 19 years. The most common histopathological form of appendicitis was analysed to be acute appendicitis (76% of cases) The statistical data for various histo pathological types of appendicitis are as follows Subacute appendicitis – 10 cases ; Acute appendicitis – 76 cases ; Chronic appendicitis – 13 cases ; Granulomatous appendicitis – 1 case. CONCLUSION: The incidence of appendicitis is higher in the second decade of life and is remarkably high amongst females. Among the pathological types, incidence of acute appendicitis is the highest and that is seen in the second decade of life

Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology smears prepared through conventional method, often contain well preserved viable tissue fragments which are intact (Tissue Micro biopsies). They will provide information on the tissue architecture and contribute to the tumour ontogeny.Methods: A prospective study of significance of tissue micro biopsies in FNAC were studied and interpreted in the Cytopathology laboratory of Department of Pathology, Tirunelveli Medical College, Tirunelveli. 100 cases with clinically palpable Swellings were studied.Results: Out of 100 cases, 82% of cases were coming under the category of conventional FNAC, 10% of the cases were USG guided and 8% were falling under CT guided FNAC. The organs with highest yield of micro biopsies were lymph nodes 34 cases (34%) followed by breast 24 cases, thyroid 11 cases, lung 8 cases, salivary gland 7 cases, liver and bone and soft tissue 4 cases each, abdominal mass 3cases, pancreas 2 cases, and single case each of ovary, spleen, anterior mediastinum. Of the total 100 cases, 56% of the cases were malignant and 44% of the cases were benign. Among the 56 malignant tumours 41(73.2%) cases were primary tumours and 15cases (26.8%) were metastatic tumours.Conclusions: FNA smears containing micro biopsies help in diagnosis, typing of tumour and predicting possible primary sites in cases of metastatic tumours which were not possible by cytology alone. Hence, this technique can be used to increase the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC if put into practice.