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Pediatric-type follicular lymphoma (PTFL) is a rare and recently recognized subtype of nodal follicular B-cell lymphoma. While significant recent progress has been made in understanding the morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular findings, there are only rare case reports describing the cytomorphologic features of PTFL.Four cases of PTFL initially evaluated on fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy were retrieved from our institutions' databases. The cytologic and subsequent surgical excision specimens were compared in terms of cytology, histology, immunophenotype, and molecular findings.A constellation of cytologic features for PTFL are able to distinguish it from other cytomorphologic entities in the differential including: 1) the presence of large blastoid cells with fine chromatin and irregular nuclear membranes, 2) small/intermediate-sized lymphocytes with subtle nuclear membrane irregularities, 3) near complete absence of cytoplasmic vacuoles in lymphoid cells, 4) tingible body macrophages, 5) mitotic figures, 6) absence of a diffuse large cell component, 7) and no significant plasma cell population.We present four cases of PTFL initially evaluated on FNA biopsy and define the cytomorphologic features of PTFL. FNA biopsy is presented as a practical tool for initial evaluation of this rare entity as part of a multimodal diagnostic approach, for which increased awareness among cytopathologists can ensure the appropriate triage of specimen studies necessary for the diagnosis. Additionally, we comprehensively review the current literature on PTFL and discuss the differential diagnosis on cytology, including potential pitfalls.

Male-to-female (MtF) transgender individuals are at risk for prostate cancer, although guidelines for screening and management in this population are not well established. We describe a series of 9 MtF transgender patients who underwent prostate tissue sampling and highlight histopathologic features and challenges related to pathologic interpretation of prostate tissue in this patient population. Seven of 9 total patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer and all had elevated prostate-specific antigen at the time of diagnosis. Three of the 7 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer had received different types of hormone therapy for gender affirmation before the diagnosis of prostate cancer, and in all 3 of these patients, there was histologic evidence of hormone therapy effect in both benign prostate tissue and/or the adenocarcinoma. The 2 patients with benign prostate tissue underwent transurethral resection for lower urinary tract symptoms and were previously on hormone therapy for gender affirmation. Both of these specimens showed diffuse glandular atrophy and basal cell hyperplasia, indicative of hormone therapy effect on benign prostatic tissue. In the patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, a spectrum of grades was observed, ranging from Grade Group 1 to Grade Group 5. Four patients underwent radical prostatectomy, with 2 cases showing extraprostatic extension and Grade Group 5 prostatic adenocarcinoma, and 2 showing Grade Group 2 prostatic adenocarcinoma. Three of the 4 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy had received gender-affirming hormone therapy before surgery, and all 3 of these specimens showed hormone therapy effect in non-neoplastic prostate tissue and focal hormone therapy effect in prostatic adenocarcinoma. The presence of areas of viable carcinoma without hormone therapy effect enabled the assignment of a Gleason score and Grade Group in these 3 cases. Hormone therapy administered for gender identity affirmation induces histopathologic changes to both benign prostate tissue (nonkeratinizing squamous metaplasia, diffuse atrophy, basal cell hyperplasia, and stromal dominance with decreased numbers of glands) and prostatic adenocarcinoma (nuclear pyknosis, atrophy, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and architectural patterns that would qualify for Gleason 4 and 5 in the absence of hormone therapy effect) that have been traditionally seen in cis-male prostate cancer patients receiving hormone therapy. In the absence of hormone therapy, the morphology of prostatic adenocarcinoma in transgender patients shows classic morphologic features similar to those seen in cis-male patients not on hormone therapy. Prostate cancer with hormone therapy effect may not only be histologically quite subtle and may be overlooked if not suspected, but also should not be assigned a Gleason score because the Gleason score would substantially overstate its biologic potential. Therefore, similar to cis-male patients who have received androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, transgender patients on hormone therapy for gender affirmation may be at risk for both underrecognition and over-grading of prostate cancer, particularly if the pathologist is not aware of the clinical history.

The micropapillary variant of urothelial carcinoma (MPVUC) is rare and aggressive. Surgical specimens often show atypical micro-clusters (AMCs) of cells with hyperchromatic, pyknotic, peripheral, irregular nuclei with variable nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios. We reviewed urinary tract cytology (UTC) from patients with MPVUC and hypothesized that AMCs would be present similar to those in surgical specimens.The archives were searched from 2000 to 2020 for patients with surgical cases with either MPVUC or conventional high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) and with prior abnormal UTC. Two pathologists reviewed UTC cases and controls in a blinded manner for AMCs, with quantitation of none, low, moderate, and high. Interrater reliability was compared by quadratic weighted Cohen's Kappa test. The association between numerical average score and MPVUC status was determined by logistic regression.Five patients with invasive MPVUC, one patient with a noninvasive micropapillary component, and 15 control patients with conventional HGUC were included. All patients had prior or concurrent abnormal UTC samples. Increasing category of quantities of AMCs on cytology was associated with micropapillary status (OR 7.9, 95% CI 2.7-118, p = .045), with moderate agreement between raters (Cohen's Kappa 0.54, 95% CI 0.19-0.89, p = .004).In patients with MPVUC on surgical specimen, AMCs were frequently observed on cytology. Similar atypical clusters were observed in patients with nonmicropapillary HGUC, albeit at lower frequency. However, given the WHO recommendation to diagnose micropapillary only if an invasive micropapillary component is present, a specific diagnosis of MPVUC on UTC cannot be based solely on the presence of AMCs.

Angiosarcoma (AS) is the most frequent primary sarcoma of the breast but nevertheless remains uncommon, accounting for

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, benign, inflammatory breast disease that primarily affects parous women within a period of five years post-partum. Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis (CNGM) is clinically identical to IGM, but histopathology demonstrates distinct central lipid vacuoles rimmed by neutrophils with an outer cuff of epithelioid histiocytes/granulomas, with inconsistent presence of Coryneform bacteria within the vacuoles. There is no consensus on the treatment for either IGM or CNGM, which may be managed surgically with wide local excision or mastectomy or medically with antibiotics, steroids, and steroid-sparing immunosuppressive agents. We present a 30-year-old woman with plaque psoriasis and CNGM whose breast symptoms resolved after treatment with the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor adalimumab, which has not previously been described as a treatment option for CNGM.

T and natural killer (NK) cells are effector cells with key roles in anti-HIV immunity, including in lymphoid tissues, the major site of HIV persistence. In this study, we used 42-parameter CyTOF to conduct deep phenotyping of paired blood- and lymph node (LN)-derived T and NK cells from three groups of HIV+ aviremic individuals: elite controllers, and antiretroviral therapy (ART)-suppressed individuals who had started therapy during chronic vs. acute infection, the latter of which is associated with better outcomes. We found that acute-treated individuals are enriched for specific subsets of T and NK cells, including blood-derived CD56-CD16+ NK cells previously associated with HIV control, and LN-derived CD4+ T follicular helper cells with heightened expansion potential. An in-depth comparison of the features of the cells from blood vs. LNs of individuals from our cohort revealed that T cells from blood were more activated than those from LNs. By contrast, LNs were enriched for follicle-homing CXCR5+ CD8+ T cells, which expressed increased levels of inhibitory receptors and markers of survival and proliferation as compared to their CXCR5-counterparts. In addition, a subset of memory-like CD56brightTCF1+ NK cells was enriched in LNs relative to blood. These results together suggest unique T and NK cell features in acute-treated individuals, and highlight the importance of examining effector cells not only in blood but also the lymphoid tissue compartment, where the reservoir mostly persists, and where these cells take on distinct phenotypic features.

Background: Small round cell tumors (SRCTs) are a broad category of diverse malignant tumors composed of monotonous undifferentiated cells. Involvement of serous fluids by SRCT is rare; however, the identification of exfoliated malignant cells is a crucial component of management and has significant implications for treatment and prognosis. The most common effusion tumors with SRCT morphology include Ewing sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNC), and desmoplastic SRCT, and the cytomorphologic distinction between these tumors is challenging. The purpose of this article is to describe the morphologic features of the most common SRCT in fluids and propose helpful ancillary testing. Summary: Effusion SRCTs display similar primitive and undifferentiated morphologic features although each has subtle variations. Ewing sarcoma is a mesenchymal neoplasm and harbors characteristic translocations t(11;22) (EWSR1-FLI1) or t(21;22) (EWSR1-ERG). In fluids, Ewing sarcoma shows poorly differentiated cells of variable size with round to oval nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and scant cytoplasm. In contrast, synovial sarcoma typically involves extremities and expresses a fusion transcript in t(X;18) (SS18-SSX). This soft tissue neoplasm demonstrates uniform cells with irregular nuclear contours, characteristic nuclear folding, and scant cytoplasm. RMS is a neoplasm arising from skeletal muscle, and the alveolar subtype demonstrates a translocation in t(2;13) (PAX3-FOXO1). The malignant cells show a spectrum of small round cells and pleomorphic large cells with rhabdoid morphology. RMS cells characteristically express myogenin and MyoD1, markers of skeletal muscle differentiation. Although SCNC is not a classic SRCT, the morphology is similar. SCNC demonstrates tight clusters of malignant cells with nuclear molding and salt-and-pepper chromatin. This tumor classically has neuroendocrine differentiation and is positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin on immunohistochemistry. And last, desmoplastic SRCT typically presents as an intra-abdominal mass in young men and characteristically harbors the translocation t(11;22) (p13;q12) (EWSR1-WT1). Cytomorphologically, the tumor shows small monomorphic cells occasionally arranged as rosette-like structures. Key Message: The diagnosis of SRCT can be made in effusion samples and is best achieved with a combination of morphologic features, clinical history, and ancillary testing.

We demonstrate that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gag p24 protein is more readily detected in gut and lymph node tissues than in blood CD4+ T cells and correlates better with CD4 count during antiretroviral therapy (ART). Gut p24 levels also measurably decline with ART in natural controllers. During ART, gut p24 expression is more strongly associated both with HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell frequency and plasma soluble CD14 levels than gut HIV RNA expression. This study supports using gag p24 as a marker of HIV expression in HIV+ tissues to study effects of viral persistence and to monitor efficacy of treatment in HIV-based clearance studies.

Urinary cytology (UC) is one of the primary diagnostic modalities used for the screening and surveillance of urothelial carcinoma. Despite its widespread use, UC has suffered from a lack of standardized or reproducible criteria and wide interobserver variability, particularly of the designation of atypical urothelial cells. The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology (TPS), published in 2016, aimed to provide a standardized approach for evaluating UC by creating diagnostic categories with specific cytomorphologic criteria. Recent studies have primarily investigated the application of TPS on lower urinary tract specimens and have mostly shown that TPS implementation has improved the performance of UC specimens. Only a few studies have reported the impact of TPS on upper urinary tract (UUT) cytology. Additionally, there is uncertainty as to which cytological features are most predictive of high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) in the UUT. This review summarizes the literature regarding the utility and performance of UUT cytology and highlights findings before and after the implementation of TPS.

The latent reservoir is a main barrier for curing HIV. But because latently-infected cells cannot be phenotyped directly, the features of the in vivo reservoir have remained elusive. Here, we describe a method that leverages high-dimensional phenotyping using CyTOF to trace latently-infected cells reactivated ex vivo to their original pre-activation states. Our results suggest that contrary to common assumptions, the reservoir is not randomly distributed among cell subsets, and is remarkably conserved between individuals. However, reservoir composition differs between tissues and blood, as do cells successfully reactivated by different latency reversing agents. Most importantly, by selecting 8-10 of our 39 original CyTOF markers, we were able to isolate highly purified populations of unstimulated in vivo latent cells, thereby validating the PP-SLIDE approach for reservoir characterization. These purified populations were highly enriched for replication-competent and intact provirus, transcribed HIV, and displayed clonal expansion. The ability to isolate unstimulated latent cells from infected individuals enables previously impossible studies of HIV persistence.

Urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract (UUT) are uncommon. Cytological examination of voided urine or washings from the UUT has been part of the standard workup for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC); however, its value remains controversial. The lack of uniform terminology and specific diagnostic criteria could also have contributed to the inferior performance of urinary cytology for detecting UTUC. The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology (TPS) has provided a standardized reporting system for urinary cytology specimens with clearly defined cytomorphologic diagnostic criteria and found acceptance on an international level after its implementation in 2016. Recent studies have shown that TPS has led to improved diagnostic performance of urinary cytology; however, most of these studies had focused on the evaluation of lower urinary tract cytology specimens. Only a limited number of new research studies have analyzed the effect of TPS when applied to UUT cytology specimens. In the present report, we have summarized the current understanding and utility of UTUC, including its molecular biology, and reviewed the current literature.

Author(s): Greenland, Nancy Y; Wolsky, Rebecca J; Darragh, Teresa M; Vohra, Poonam | Abstract: IntroductionGastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GAS) is an uncommon type of endocervical adenocarcinoma that is not associated with human papillomavirus infection. This diagnosis is relatively rare and may portend a worse prognosis than usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma. Subtle morphological features make it an under-recognised diagnostic challenge. Study of the cytological features of individual cases is valuable in order to increase awareness of this entity.MethodsThe pathology database of our institution was searched for the diagnosis of GAS and all cytological and surgical specimens for each patient were reviewed. The original cytological interpretation was compared to a retrospective central review interpretation. Clinical history and follow-up results were obtained from the electronic medical record.ResultsFour cases of GAS were identified. The findings on initial cervical cytology varied, with GAS found in both patients with negative cervical cytology and those with atypical glandular cells. Cytological findings included endocervical cells arranged in three-dimensional clusters and honeycomb sheets with abundant vacuolar cytoplasm, and in two patients, moderate nuclear atypia with irregular nuclear membranes, coarse chromatin, hyperchromatic nuclei, and prominent nucleoli. In one patient, GAS was incidentally discovered via thorough sampling of a cystic lesion in the superior portion of the endocervical canal.ConclusionsGAS is an aggressive human papillomavirus-independent type of endocervical adenocarcinoma with subtle morphological features and, as our study shows, varying clinical presentation. Given the aggressive nature of GAS and the difficulties in initial diagnosis, increased awareness of this entity among pathologists is crucial.

Angiosarcoma (AS) is the most frequent primary sarcoma of the breast but nevertheless remains uncommon, accounting for0.05% of breast malignancies. Secondary mammary AS arise following radiation therapy for breast cancer, in contrast to primary AS which occur sporadically. Essentially all show aggressive clinical behavior independent of histologic grade and most are treated by mastectomy. MYC amplification is frequently identified in radiation-induced AS but only rarely in primary mammary AS (PMAS). As a heterogeneous group, AS from various anatomic sites have been shown to harbor recurrent alterations in TP53, MAP kinase pathway genes, and genes involved in angiogenic signaling including KDR (VEGFR2) and PTPRB. In part due to its rarity, the pathogenesis of PMAS has not been fully characterized. In this study, we examined the clinical, pathologic, and genomic features of ten cases of PMAS, including one patient with bilateral disease. Recurrent genomic alterations were identified in KDR (70%), PIK3CA/PIK3R1 (70%), and PTPRB (30%), each at higher frequencies than reported in AS across all sites. Six tumors harbored a KDR p.T771R hotspot mutation, and all seven KDR-mutant cases showed evidence suggestive of biallelism (four with loss of heterozygosity and three with two aberrations). Of the seven tumors with PI3K alterations, six harbored pathogenic mutations other than in the canonical PIK3CA residues which are most frequent in breast cancer. Three AS were hypermutated (≥10 mutations/megabase (Mb)); hypermutation was seen concurrent with KDR or PIK3CA mutations. The patient with bilateral disease demonstrated shared alterations, indicative of contralateral metastasis. No MYC or TP53 aberrations were detected in this series. Immunohistochemistry for VEGFR2 was unable to discriminate between KDR-mutant tumors and benign vascular lesions of the breast. These findings highlight the underrecognized frequency of KDR and PIK3CA mutation in PMAS, and a significant subset with hypermutation, suggesting a pathogenesis distinct from other AS.

BACKGROUND The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology (TPS) published in 2016 provides a standardized approach to evaluating urine cytology. In the authors' practice, a TPS-like approach was adopted in 2012 using similarly defined cytologic criteria and correlating cystoscopic findings, and they also began incorporating the use of cell block (CB) material. The objective of the current study was to assess whether this TPS-like approach with the use of CB, as well as direct implementation of TPS, improved the diagnostic value of urine cytology. METHODS In total, 188 consecutive urine cytology specimens from 2010 through 2016 that had concurrent or subsequent histologic specimens available were retrospectively analyzed for diagnostic correlation. Urine cytology performance was compared between the periods 2010 to 2012 (pre-TPS-like), 2013 to 2016 (TPS-like), and after TPS reclassification, including blind review by a cytopathologist. The contribution of available CB material to final diagnoses also was assessed. RESULTS Both the TPS-like approach and TPS reclassification resulted in significantly lowering the rate of atypical urothelial cells (AUC) diagnosis from 48%, to 21%, to 9% (from pre-TPS, to TPS-like, to after TPS reclassification, respectively; P < 0.01) while increasing the positive predictive value of an AUC diagnosis for high-grade urothelial carcinoma from 21%, to 43%, to 83%, respectively. The use of CBs contributed to a definitive final diagnosis in 24 of 36 cases (66.7%). CONCLUSIONS In support of the new TPS recommendations, the application of stringent "TPS-like" and TPS criteria improves the value of an AUC diagnosis for clinicians and patients by lowering the AUC rate and increasing the positive predictive value of AUC for high-grade urothelial carcinoma. CBs can be used to help resolve problematic cases for more definitive diagnostic categorization.

Epstein-Barr Virus-associated smooth muscle tumor (EBV-SMT) is a rare mesenchymal tumor typically seen in immunocompromised patients. Here, we report a case of EBV-SMT and associated granulomatous inflammation in the liver of a 32-year-old man with history of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). To our knowledge, an association of these two lesions has not been previously reported. We review the literature and discuss pathogenesis, differential diagnosis and immunohistochemical (IHC) stains helpful for the diagnosis of this rare entity. Finally, we consider possible explanations for the concomitant presence of these lesions.

Background: This retrospective study evaluated and compared the diagnostic accuracy and suitability of tissue specimens for advanced molecular diagnostic testing obtained via 2 different techniques for percutaneous biopsy of primary and metastatic liver tumors. Patients and Methods: Samples from 137 patients with liver masses who underwent concurrent fine-needle aspiration biopsy with cell block (FNAB-CB) and core needle biopsy (CNB) at 2 hospitals were assessed for diagnostic accuracy, tumor fraction, and tumor cellularity. A subset of FNAB-CBs, that were deemed to have less or equal tumor cellularity compared with CNBs, had level sections performed and were reassessed for tumor cellularity. Results: Diagnostic accuracy was 96% for FNAB and 93% for CNB (P=.267). In FNAB-CBs, tumor fraction was significantly higher than in CNB samples (67% vs 36%; PPP=.003). Additionally, in 44% of cases, FNAB-CB tumor cellularity was equal to or greater than that of the concurrent CNB. Conclusions: In the current age of personalized medicine, a minimally invasive, safe approach to obtaining adequate tissue for myriad molecular testing is paramount. We have shown that FNAB sampling is diagnostically accurate and produces higher tumor fractions than CNB. Thus, FNAB should be strongly considered as an initial sampling modality, especially for patients in whom molecular tests will determine management.

Malignant phyllodes tumors of the breast are poorly understood rare neoplasms with potential for aggressive behavior. Few efficacious treatment options exist for progressed or metastatic disease. The molecular features of malignant phyllodes tumors are poorly defined, and a deeper understanding of the genetics of these tumors may shed light on pathogenesis and progression and potentially identify novel treatment approaches. We sequenced 510 cancer-related genes in 10 malignant phyllodes tumors, including 5 tumors with liposarcomatous differentiation and 1 with myxoid chondrosarcoma-like differentiation. Intratumoral heterogeneity was assessed by sequencing two separate areas in 7 tumors, including non-heterologous and heterologous components of tumors with heterologous differentiation. Activating hotspot mutations in FGFR1 were identified in 2 tumors. Additional recurrently mutated genes included TERT promoter (6/10), TP53 (4/10), PIK3CA (3/10), MED12 (3/10), SETD2 (2/10) and KMT2D (2/10). Together, genomic aberrations in FGFR/EGFR PI-3 kinase and RAS pathways were identified in 8 (80%) tumors and included mutually exclusive and potentially actionable activating FGFR1, PIK3CA and BRAF V600E mutations, inactivating TSC2 mutation, EGFR amplification and PTEN loss. Seven (70%) malignant phyllodes tumors harbored TERT aberrations (six promoter mutations, one amplification). For comparison, TERT promoter mutations were identified by Sanger sequencing in 33% borderline (n=12) and no (0%, n=8) benign phyllodes tumors (P=0.391 and P=0.013 vs malignant tumors, respectively). Genetic features specific to liposarcoma, including CDK4/MDM2 amplification, were not identified. Copy number analysis revealed intratumoral heterogeneity and evidence for divergent tumor evolution in malignant phyllodes tumors with and without heterologous differentiation. Tumors with liposarcomatous differentiation revealed more chromosomal aberrations in non-heterologous components compared with liposarcomatous components. EGFR amplification was heterogeneous and present only in the non-heterologous component of one tumor with liposarcomatous differentiation. The results identify novel pathways involved in the pathogenesis of malignant phyllodes tumors, which significantly increase our understanding of tumor biology and have potential clinical impact.

Author(s): Vohra, Poonam; Buelow, Benjamin; Chen, Yunn-Yi; Serrano, Maria; Vohra, Manjiv Singh; Berry, Anna; Ljung, Britt-Marie | Abstract: BackgroundMolecular analysis represents an increasingly important component of the pathologic examination of tumor specimens. Notably, the characterization of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression in breast cancer specimens provides critical prognostic and predictive information. The objective of the current study was to compare the concordance of these markers as determined on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cell blocks compared with tissue blocks prepared from surgical specimens.MethodsA total of 134 cases of breast carcinoma were identified from 2002 through 2014 with both FNA cell blocks (fixed in 10% formalin) and corresponding available tissue blocks and ER, PR, and HER2 were characterized in both specimens. Negative and positive concordances were determined for ER and PR in cell blocks compared with tissue blocks, and for HER2 immunohistochemistry on cell blocks and tissue blocks versus the corresponding reference method, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).ResultsConcordance for ER expression evaluated on a cell block compared with the corresponding tissue block was 96.2%. Concordance for PR expression was 77.5%. Overall agreement of HER2 FISH testing between cell blocks and tissue blocks was 96.7%. For both cell blocks and tissue blocks, HER2 expression by immunohistochemistry demonstrated ≥98% positive and negative concordance with the FISH reference method.ConclusionsER, PR, and HER2 determination on FNA-acquired cell block (fixed exclusively in 10% formalin) showed excellent agreement for ER and HER2 and moderate agreement for PR with the corresponding tissue block. These findings support the equivalency of ER and HER2 evaluation performed on FNA cell blocks compared with surgical tissue blocks. Cancer Cytopathol 2016;124:828-35. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a condition that will affect 60-80% of the population at some stage in their life. Epidemiological studies have shown that simple backache has point prevalence and a 1-month prevalence of 15-30% and 30-40% respectively. Studies that have been performed state that LBP is a self-limiting condition, but many people who have suffered from LBP will experience recurring episodes, which could lead to the development of chronic LBP. The objective of the study was to assess the role of MRI and USG in evaluating degenerative changes in multifidus muscle in chronic low back pain patients. Methods: A Cross-sectional Observational study was done in 30 patients. Adult patients of either sex who presented with low back pain for 6 weeks or more and Grade 1 and grade 2 degenerative intervertebral disc changes as seen on plain skiagrams of L-S spine, A-P and lateral views were subjected to MRI and Ultrasound. Results: Multifidus and paraspinal muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration should be considered in association with the clinical presentation and other abnormalities seen in MRI examination. Conclusions: Whether LBP duration, severity and associated functional disability affect the degree of paraspinal muscle degenerative changes remains unclear. Possible reasons underlying the discrepant findings include variations among the age and symptoms of duration of the studied populations and small sample size.

Background: Infertility is defined as one year of unprotected intercourse without pregnancy. Female factor is responsible for 40-50% of cases of infertility. Uterine pathologies are the cause of infertility in as many as 15% of couples seeking treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of trans-vaginal sonography (TVS) and saline infusion sonography (SIS) for detection of uterine cavity abnormalities in patients of infertility taking hysteroscopy as gold standard. Methods: A prospective comparative study was done in 60 patients of infertility. Patients were selected from gynaecology OPD of a tertiary care hospital. Patient selected underwent TVS and SIS followed by hysteroscopy for presence of uterine cavity abnormalities. The presence of uterine cavity abnormality and its type (endometrial polyp, submucous myoma, intrauterine synechiae or any other) was noted. The results of TVS and SIS were compared with hysteroscopy. Results: In 60 infertile patients, hysteroscopy revealed intrauterine pathology in 22 patients (36.7%). Among them eight had endometrial polyp and another eight patients had intrauterine synechiae. Submucous myoma was detected in five patients and one patient had thin endometrium. SIS detected eight out of 22 uterine cavity abnormalities indicating sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 36.4%, 100%, 100% and 73.1% respectively. In comparison TVS showed abnormalities in six patients only and thus had sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 27.35%, 100%, 100% and 70.4 % respectively. Sensitivity of SIS for specific lesion was least for intrauterine synechiae (12.5%) and maximum for submucous myoma (60%). Conclusions: The sensitivity of both TVS and SIS for detection of uterine cavity abnormalities in patients of infertility was low in the present study and they cannot be recommended as replacement for hysteroscopy.

With the easy availability, portability and durability of ultrasound, rapid improvement in bedside and Radiologist-performed ultrasound is seeing increasing use in rural, underdeveloped parts of the world. Physicians, and medical officers have demonstrated the ability to perform and interpret a large variety of ultrasound exams, and a growing body of literature supports the use of point-of-care ultrasound in developing nations. We review, by countries, the existing literature in support of ultrasound use in the countries with low and middle income group and training guidelines currently in use, and highlight indications for emergency ultrasound.

The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology (TPS) published in 2016 provides a standardized approach to evaluating urine cytology. In the authors' practice, a TPS-like approach was adopted in 2012 using similarly defined cytologic criteria and correlating cystoscopic findings, and they also began incorporating the use of cell block (CB) material. The objective of the current study was to assess whether this TPS-like approach with the use of CB, as well as direct implementation of TPS, improved the diagnostic value of urine cytology.In total, 188 consecutive urine cytology specimens from 2010 through 2016 that had concurrent or subsequent histologic specimens available were retrospectively analyzed for diagnostic correlation. Urine cytology performance was compared between the periods 2010 to 2012 (pre-TPS-like), 2013 to 2016 (TPS-like), and after TPS reclassification, including blind review by a cytopathologist. The contribution of available CB material to final diagnoses also was assessed.Both the TPS-like approach and TPS reclassification resulted in significantly lowering the rate of atypical urothelial cells (AUC) diagnosis from 48%, to 21%, to 9% (from pre-TPS, to TPS-like, to after TPS reclassification, respectively; P0.01) while increasing the positive predictive value of an AUC diagnosis for high-grade urothelial carcinoma from 21%, to 43%, to 83%, respectively. The use of CBs contributed to a definitive final diagnosis in 24 of 36 cases (66.7%).In support of the new TPS recommendations, the application of stringent "TPS-like" and TPS criteria improves the value of an AUC diagnosis for clinicians and patients by lowering the AUC rate and increasing the positive predictive value of AUC for high-grade urothelial carcinoma. CBs can be used to help resolve problematic cases for more definitive diagnostic categorization.

Background: Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in the evaluation of abdominal masses. Many imaging modalities are available ranging from conventional modalities to the cross-sectional modalities like USG, CT and MRI. The main principles of imaging are to determine the origin of mass, its measurement, extent, characterisation and assessment of its effect on contiguous organs. In the past, the mainstay was conventional imaging modalities like plain radiograph, Gastrointestinal contrast studies and I.V.U. Modern imaging modalities allow an early and accurate pre-operative diagnosis resulting in a higher rate of surgical resection and improvement of survival.Methods: A Cross-sectional observational study was done in 30 patients. Patients of either sex of any age group who had presented with involvement of retroperitoneal organs detected by routine ultrasound and postoperative patients with recurrence were included in our study.Results: Ultrasound is the initial imaging modality of choice since it is inexpensive, easy to perform and no radiation exposure. On USG, the retroperitoneal masses are classified as solid or cystic or mixed. Since most of the retroperitoneal masses have hetroechoic/mixed pattern, they cannot be characterized by ultrasound alone and hence need further evaluation.Conclusions: Multidetector computed tomography is the imaging modality of choice for further evaluation and characterization. CT protocol for evaluation of the retroperitoneum consisted of both non-enhanced and contrast-enhanced scans for localisation and characterisation of the masses. Multiplanar reconstructions allowed the images to be viewed in any plane chosen including a curved plane thus helping in defining the exact location and extent of the lesion. With MIP and volume rendered images, the relationship of the vessels with the mass lesions was clearly visualized.

This chapter encompasses four uncommon types of triple negative breast cancer, which include adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), apocrine carcinoma, metaplastic carcinoma, and medullary carcinoma. Also included in the discussion for differential diagnosis are three additional rare subtypes: acinic cell carcinoma, oncocytic carcinoma, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Most of these tumors are “basal-like cancers,” as defined by gene expression analysis. Although sharing the triple negative and basal-like phenotype, these tumors demonstrate remarkably different clinical behaviors, which range along a spectrum from indolent to aggressive, emphasizing the notion that triple negative or basal-like breast cancer comprises a heterogeneous group of diseases. While ACC has well-defined histopathologic features and unique molecular alterations, metaplastic carcinomas represent a morphologically and genetically diverse group of tumors. Furthermore, uniform agreement on diagnostic criteria is lacking for medullary carcinoma and apocrine carcinoma. Accordingly, diagnosis of these uncommon lesions can be challenging, especially in core needle biopsy (CNB) specimens.

Background: Due to rapid pace in development of imaging techniques and increasing number of investigations being done, more number of renal masses are discovered incidentally during evaluation of unrelated or unspecific symptoms. Hence it is vital to differentiate neoplastic and non-neoplastic masses. Among the neoplastic masses, there is a need to differentiate benign and malignant masses so that appropriate treatment strategies like nephron sparing surgery, radio frequency ablation etc. can be planned at an early stage and avoiding unnecessary radical treatments for improved patients survival.Methods: A Cross-sectional Observational study was done in 35 patients. Patients of either sex in any age group who had presented with suspected renal mass by clinical signs and symptoms (palpable renal angle mass, renal angle pain, hematuria) confirmed on USG examination or an incidental Renal mass diagnosed on USG/CT examination were included in our study.Results: Ultrasound is the initial imaging modality of choice since it is inexpensive, easy to perform and no radiation exposure. On USG, the renal lesions are classified as solid or cystic. Anechoic, thin walled cyst without any septations or solid components is usually Bosniak I cyst (simple cyst) and does not need any further evaluation. Rest of the cystic and solid lesions cannot be characterized by ultrasound and hence need further evaluation.Conclusions: Multidetector Computed Tomography is the imaging modality of choice for further evaluation and characterization. CT is done in four phases viz., unenhanced, corticomedullary, nephrographic and excretory phase especially in cases of malignancy while in benign conditions like angiomyolipoma and abscess, evaluation with unenhanced and single phase post contrast in portovenous phase is sufficient.

Accurate diagnosis of dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in patients with Barrett esophagus is critical for clinical decision-making and patient management. IMP3 is an oncofetal protein and has been demonstrated to be associated with aggressive tumor behavior. The aim of this study was to establish the expression pattern and diagnostic value of IMP3 in Barrett esophagus, dysplasia, and carcinoma. A total of 217 cases (resection, n=56; biopsy, n=161) with 302 lesions (invasive esophageal adenocarcinoma, n=147; metastatic esophageal adenocarcinoma, n=14; high-grade dysplasia of the esophagus, n=52; low-grade dysplasia of the esophagus gland, n=21; and Barrett esophagus, n=68) were examined by immunohistochemistry for IMP3 expression. IMP3 showed strong cytoplasmic granular staining in 138 of 147 (94%) of invasive esophageal adenocarcinomas, 13 of 14 (93%) of metastatic esophageal adenocarcinomas, and 49 of 52 (94%) of high-grade dysplasias. In contrast, 3/21 (14%) of low-grade dysplasia and 5/68 (7%) Barrett esophagus were positive for IMP3. Expression of IMP3 was not found in adjacent benign squamous and glandular mucosa. Our findings indicate that IMP3 is a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for the diagnosis of invasive esophageal adenocarcinoma and high-grade dysplasia. The data also suggest that IMP3, an oncofetal protein, may play an important role in malignant transformation in esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Diffuse lung diseases describe a heterogeneous group of disorders of the lower respiratory tract characterized by inflammation and derangement of the interstitium and loss of functional alveolar units. The disease is not restricted to the interstitium only, as it involves epithelial, endothelial and mesenchymal cells with the disease process extending into the alveoli, acini and bronchioles. Thus, the entire pulmonary parenchyma is involved. The objective of the study was to evaluate diffuse lung diseases by high resolution computed tomography of chest.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was done in 30 patients. Adult patients of either sex of age group 18 and above showing reticular opacities on chest X-ray and those patients who were incidentally diagnosed as cases of diffuse lung diseases on HRCT chest were included in present study.Results: Reticular opacities were the most common roentgenographic finding followed by reticulonodular opacities. On HRCT, intra and interlobular septal thickening was the most common finding in Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (usual interstitial pneumonia).Conclusions: High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is superior to the plain chest X-ray for early detection and confirmation of suspected diffuse lung diseases. In addition, HRCT allows better assessment of the extent and distribution of disease, and it is especially useful in the investigation of patients with a normal chest radiograph. Coexisting disease is often best recognized on HRCT scanning.

Mucosal alterations of the fallopian tube are generally thought to represent alterations of the native tubal mucosal epithelium, whether benign or malignant. The current paradigm implicating the fallopian tube fimbriae as the origin of most pelvic high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs) is based on the premise that HGSC growing within the tubal mucosa originated there. This has fueled proposals to redefine classification rules for assigning the primary site of origin on the basis of the presence or absence of HGSC in the tubal mucosa. The corollary is that it is unlikely for metastatic carcinoma to grow within fallopian tube mucosa. Evidence to support or refute this corollary is minimal, in part because the fallopian tubes historically have been ignored. This study reports the pattern and topography of 100 nongynecologic cancers that metastasized to the fallopian tubes. Most tumors were adenocarcinoma (87%), and the remainder included lymphomas, neuroendocrine tumors, and mesotheliomas. The most common primary origins of tumor were the colon (35%) and breast (15%). Gross evidence of a tubal nodule or mass was only seen in 35% of cases. Ovarian metastases were present in 95% of cases, although 23% did not exhibit gross evidence of metastasis. Tumor involved the fimbriae in 49% of cases, including 10% of cases in which the tumor was restricted to the fimbriae without involving the nonfimbriated portion of the tube. The anatomic distribution of metastases included the tubal mucosa (29%), submucosa (43%), muscularis (54%), serosa (76%), lymphovascular spaces (38%), intraluminal space (16%), and mesonephric remnants (39%). The most common architectural pattern of mucosal growth was a flat layer (22/29 cases), followed by varying degrees of stratification, tufting, and papillary growth. High-grade atypia was present in 18/29 cases of mucosal growth, resulting in patterns that resembled primary tubal HGSC. Accompanying growth in the tubal submucosa frequently produced a pseudoinvasive pattern mimicking invasive tubal HGSC. Immunohistochemical expression of p53 by 8/18 high-grade mucosal metastases further contributed to the resemblance to primary tubal HGSC. Bland cytology was present in 11/29 cases of mucosal growth, some of which also exhibited mucinous features, resulting in patterns that resembled either tubal mucinous metaplasia or nonmucinous tubal hyperplasia. Although uncommon, it is possible for metastases of nongynecologic cancers to grow within the mucosa of the fallopian tube and create a potential diagnostic pitfall. Intramucosal growth of a tumor in the fallopian tube is not pathognomonic of a primary tubal origin of the tumor. These findings may carry implications for proposed criteria using the status of the fallopian tube mucosa to assign primary origin of a gynecologic cancer.

GATA3 is implicated in mammary epithelial development and breast cancer progression and is an evolving immunohistochemical marker in breast cancer. Often associated with estrogen receptor (ER) signaling, GATA3 expression has been reported in ER-negative breast cancers, but systematic evaluation of GATA3 expression in a large set of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) is lacking. Given low sensitivities of mammaglobin (MGB) and GCDFP15 in metastatic TNBC, additional markers for site of origin identification would be useful in this context. We examined immunohistochemical expression of GATA3 in a large group of treatment-naive TNBC (n = 111) and ER-positive (n = 39) and HER2-positive (n = 31) breast cancers with commonly used antibody clones, HG3-31 (GATA3-H) and L50-823 (GATA3-L), and compared GATA3, MGB, and GCDFP15. Respectively, GATA3-L and GATA3-H were positive in 66% and 44% of TNBC (P = .002), 93% and 79% of ER-/HER2+ tumors (P = .596), and 100% of ER+/HER2- and ER+/HER2+ tumors (P = 1.00 each). GATA3-L was technically and diagnostically more sensitive than GATA3-H in TNBC and was technically more sensitive in other subtypes. MGB (26%) and GCDFP15 (16%) were less sensitive for TNBC than other subtypes (P.001). Notably, 56% and 36% of MGB-/GCDFP15- TNBC were positive with GATA3-L and GATA3-H, respectively (P = .027). Seventy percent of TNBC were positive for GATA3-L, MGB, or GCDFP15 compared with 49% using GATA3-H in the panel. GATA3 is a diagnostically useful marker for TNBC and is more sensitive than MGB and GCDFP15 combined. GATA3-L is more sensitive for TNBC than GATA3-H, and an immunopanel of GATA3-L, MGB, and GCDFP15 provides optimal diagnostic sensitivity for TNBC.