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Introduction Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has emerged as a very useful tool for precise diagnosis of thoracic lesions. However, the procedure sometimes has a poor yield. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) in EBUS-TBNA has been shown to be helpful to improve its diagnostic yield and minimise the need for repeat procedures. Most of the studies that have evaluated the utility of ROSE have focused on malignant lesions; however, it is important to understand its utility in benign lesions, particularly in a country with a high tuberculosis burden. Objective This study was undertaken to evaluate the utility of ROSE in EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of patients presenting with mediastinal lymphadenopathy and/or thoracic mass for benign and malignant pathologies. Methods This was a prospective study including 47 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA for thoracic lesions (lung masses and hilar/mediastinal lymphadenopathy) over a 10-month period at a single tertiary care centre. In addition to ROSE and definitive cytology, the aspirated material was also sent for cell block and microbiological studies. Endobronchial/transthoracic biopsy was conducted for histopathological evaluation (HPE) where required, at the discretion of the clinician. ROSE diagnosis was then compared with the final diagnosis. Results Of the 47 patients examined using ROSE, granulomas were observed in 33 cases, non-specific inflammation in six cases, and malignancy in five cases; one case was inconclusive and the sample was found to be inadequate in two cases. The ROSE assessment matched the final diagnosis in 84.45% patients. Conclusion ROSE is a simple procedure that is able to provide an immediate and accurate assessment of adequacy and has a significant yield, enabling a preliminary diagnosis to be made in both benign and malignant samples.

Multiple myeloma is a malignant proliferation of the plasma cells and can be non-secretory in about 1 to 5 % cases. Pleura based mass lesions are uncommon in myeloma. Herein we report a case of non-secretory multiple myeloma presenting with a pleura based mass in a 40 year old male. Fine needle aspiration cytology with immunohistochemistry played a key role in the diagnosis of this case.

Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) of the tongue is extremely rare. We present here a case of primary diffuse large B cell NHL, non-germinal center type in a 60-year-old female, who presented with a mass in the base of the tongue and vallecula with cervical lymphadenopathy. Clinically, a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was kept. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was useful in the early diagnosis of the intraoral NHL involving a cervical lymph node.

Gout is a chronic arthropathy caused due to the deposition of monosodium urate crystals. Gouty tophus can be the initial presenting feature of gout with or without any clinical symptoms. Demonstration of urate crystals in synovial fluid or biopsy helps in confirming the diagnosis of gout. However, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of periarticular soft-tissue nodules is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of gout. We present two such cases of isolated soft-tissue lesions wherein the initial diagnosis of gouty tophus was made on FNAC and subsequently followed by a clinical and biochemical workup.

BACKGROUND Filariasis is a major health problem in India. Despite the high prevalence, microfilariae are rarely found in cytology smears. Most of the cases are incidentally found, solely or in association with other pathologies. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study was undertaken to analyse the prevalence and cytological findings of cases of incidentally found microfilariae in cytology smears (fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC]/exfoliative cytology) from different parts of the body. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective study over 3 years, in which cases of microfilariae in aspirates from swelling of different locations, body fluids, and pap smears were reviewed, and the clinicopathological data analysed. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS Out of 11 530 cases of FNAC, 8700 cases of fluid cytology, and 9000 of conventional cervicovaginal smears, 12 cases (0.04%) of incidental findings of microfilariae were documented in cytology smears. The cases were diagnosed from lymph node (one case), hand (one case), scrotal area (one case), axilla (one case), breast (one case), subcutaneous tissue (three cases), urine (three cases), and Pap smear (one case). We found eosinophilia in one case (8.3%) of filarial lesions. We found two cases of incidental findings of microfilariae in association with malignant lesions. CONCLUSION Cytology smear examination can play an important role in diagnosing occult filariasis in clinically unsuspected cases in association with other pathologies.

BACKGROUND Cysticercosis is a systemic parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium. It is the most common parasitic disease worldwide. Fine needle aspiration cytology can play an important role in prompt recognition of this disease. OBJECTIVE To study the role of FNAC in the diagnosis of cysticercosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included 26 patients with parasitic infestation who presented with palpable subcutaneous and intramuscular nodules at different sites. Their clinical presentations and fine needle aspiration cytomorphological features are reported. RESULTS The age range of these patients was 7-60 years. The majority were males. The most commonly affected site was head and neck followed by upper extremity. Most of the cases were clinically misdiagnosed as lipomas, neurofibromas, lymphadenitis, epidermal inclusion cyst, sialadenitis, and soft tissue tumours. The aspirate was clear fluid in the majority of cases. All of the cases revealed fragments of bladder wall with associated granulomas in seven cases and giant cells in four cases. However, none of the case revealed hooklets. CONCLUSION Fine needle aspiration cytology can provide a simple, minimally invasive, low-cost, outpatient diagnostic technique for the diagnosis of cysticercosis, as cytological diagnosis is quite clear when the actual parasitic structures are identified in the smear.

Atropa belladonna is a highly poisonous plant which contains variety of active alkaloids such as atropine, scopolamine and many others. In homeopathy, its preparation is used to cure a number of health conditions such as baby teething, pain or infection and many others. However, due to its toxic nature and adverse teratogenic effect, it is important to investigate the possible toxicity and safety level of belladonna mother tincture. In this study, zebrafish embryos were used to evaluate fetal embryo toxicity of the belladonna mother tincture. Briefly, eggs were exposed to different concentration (1, 5 and 10 %) of belladonna mother tincture and ethyl alcohol for 1 h. Different parameters like mortality, hatching rate, somites, tail detachment and morphological malformations were recorded till 72 h of post fertilisation and behaviour parameters were also recorded after 7 d post fertilisation. Results showed that exposure to belladonna mother tincture at higher concentration (5, 10 %) cause embryonic malformation including pericardial edema, increase in body length, eye width and heart rate, while decrease hatching rate with no effect on mortality. The behavioural parameters revealed that belladonna mother tincture increases the locomotor activity of larvae at its 1 % concentration rather than 5 and 10 % in comparison to control. In summary, belladonna mother tincture and alcohol may cause developmental embryonic changes at higher concentration while no major development changes were found at 1 %. Further developmental toxicity studies on animals need to be carried out to validate use of belladonna mother tincture clinically in low concentration or high dilution.s.

Systemic lupus erythematous is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory connective tissue disease. Infection remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in such autoimmune disorders. Nocardia is an uncommon opportunistic pathogen. Due it its low incidence it is often missed by clinicians and pathologists. Delay in diagnosis and treatment is the major cause of dissemination and complications of this disease. Here we report a case of nocardiosis diagnosed on pleural fluid cytology smears using special stains. A known case of systemic lupus erythematous diagnosed 7 years back complained of heaviness in chest, shortness of breath and fever. Ultrasonography of chest showed pleural effusion and consolidation of underlying lung. Pleural fluid was aspirated and sent for cytology. Giemsa and Papaniculaou stained smears showed dense degenerated acute and chronic inflammatory cells in a necrotic background with negatively stained shadows which were negative for ZN and PAS stains. However, gram stain and modified ZN stain (1%H2SO4) showed positively stained clumps of long branching filamentous organism; consistent with Nocardia spp which was later confirmed by culture studies. This case highlights the importance of high index of suspicion for nocardia in cytology samples of pulmonary origin, especially in cases patients with immunosuppressed states. More so special stains like Gram’s stain and modified ZN stain in such cases can aid in a definitive diagnosis.

Retroperitoneal masses present with a diverse group of lesions; ranging from benign to malignant. These lesions can be solid or cystic, single or multiloculated, and the contents may range from serous to mucinous uid. Mucinous adenocarcinoma of retroperitoneum is rare. We present a case of retroperitoneal mucinous adenocarcinoma of colon in a 25-year-old male, mimicking a benign cystic lesion on radiology. Cytology along with histopathology helped in making a denitive diagnosis of malignancy in this case.

Rosai–Dorfman disease (RDD) or sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML) is a self-limiting, benign histiocytic disorder. We report a case of RDD mimicking lymphoma clinically and cytologically in a 3-year-old male child. The present case highlights the importance of cytology in the diagnosis of RDD along with cytological features of other differential diagnoses.

Lymphatic filariasis is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is not routinely used for its identification. However, it has been detected incidentally, while doing FNAC for the evaluation of other lesions. We describe a presentation of occult filariasis with microfilariae (mf) in an isolated axillary swelling wherein FNAC was helpful in establishing the diagnosis.

CONTEXT: Blood transfusion services have achieved newer heights in the last decade, with developments in cellular techniques, component separation, and integration of molecular methods. However, the system of recording and reporting of the adverse events related to blood transfusion is developing countries like India is grossly inadequate and voluntary in nature. AIMS: This study was undertaken to analyze the retrospective data on adverse events related to blood transfusions in our hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was done to examine all the transfusion related adverse events reported in a Regional Blood Bank Transfusion Centre of North India over a period of 9 years. Adverse transfusion events related to whole blood, red cell concentrates (RCCs), and all other components were analyzed and classified on the basis of their clinical features and laboratory tests. Average rate of transfusion reactions with the components was also assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test. P < 0.05 was taken to indicate a significant difference. RESULTS: During this period, a total of 1,60,973 blood/blood component units were issued by our blood bank to various departments of the hospital and 314 immediate transfusion events were reported. The rate of immediate transfusion reactions during the study was 0.19%. Average transfusion reaction rate with RCC was 0.25% with febrile nonhemolytic reactions being the most common type of adverse event (37.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Awareness should be increased among clinicians to correctly prevent, identify, and report transfusion-related adverse events. These measures should be implemented to increase blood transfusion quality and safety.

BACKGROUND Exfoliated endometrial cells can be seen in cervical smears in association with a wide variety of conditions ranging from normal proliferative endometrium to endometrial malignancies. It is often difficult to differentiate between benign, atypical and malignant endometrial cells using cytomorphology alone. This study was conducted to evaluate if morphometric analysis of endometrial nuclei on liquid-based cervical samples could be of help in differentiating between these endometrial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three groups of cervical samples with histopathological correlation were selected: Group A: showing benign endometrial cells; Group B: showing atypical endometrial cells and Group C: showing malignant endometrial cells. There were 30 cases each in Group A and B and 39 cases in Group C. Image J, NIH, USA was used for selecting the endometrial nuclei and performing the morphometric measurements. MANOVA was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS The mean nuclear area and nuclear perimeter were significantly different between the three groups of endometrial cells with a P-value

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (Ca ex PA) is defined as a carcinoma arising from a primary (de novo) or recurrent benign pleomorphic adenoma. The most common histological subtype is adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified, salivary duct carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Few case reports of de novo dedifferentiation in ACC are there in the literature, mostly involving minor salivary glands. The dedifferentiated adenoid cystic carcinoma arising in a pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland has not been reported earlier. The present case highlights this rare histological subtype seen in Ca ex PA and the role of extensive histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry.

Cysticercosis in human is caused by infection with the larval stage of Taenia solium. Oro-facial involvement of cysticercosis is not commonly reported. We present an uncommon case of subcutaneous cysticercosis diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) presenting as a solitary facial nodule in a young male. DOI: 10.21276/APALM.1623

Sinonasal malignant melanoma is one of the uncommon and highly aggressive tumors of the sinonasal cavity. Cytomorphological features in a metastatic lymph node may reveal a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. This case had nondiagnostic cytological and histopathological features, which could suggest malignant melanoma. Immunohistochemistry in such cases becomes the primary method for establishing the diagnosis of malignant melanoma at an uncommon site.