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Background: Mucormycosis is a fungal infection that can affect multiple organs. The role of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in its diagnosis is not well documented. Aim: The objective of this study was to describe the detailed cytomorphologic features of mucormycosis on FNAC samples. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all cases diagnosed as mucormycosis on FNAC between January 2014 and July 2021 was performed for detailed cytomorphological evaluation and correlation to clinical data and microbiological studies wherever available. FNA was computed tomography-guided (n = 38), ultrasonography-guided (n = 31) or palpation-guided (n = 12), and slides were reviewed in two cases. Results: A total of 83 cases of mucormycosis were evaluated. An immunocompromised setting was observed in 48 cases. The most common site of FNA was the lung (n = 57) followed by liver, soft tissue, palate, mediastinum, orbital/ocular region, and lymph node. Isolated renal involvement, a unique feature, was seen in seven cases. The aspirates were necrotic to pus-like or blood-mixed particulate. Broad, nonseptate, foldable, ribbon-like fungal hyphae showing right-angled branching were seen. The tissue reaction was predominantly necro-inflammatory (n = 36), bland necrotic (n = 22), mixed inflammatory (n = 16), suppurative (n = 5), necrotizing granulomatous (n = 3), and granulomatous (n = 1). Immunocompromised patients showed mixed inflammatory responses more frequently. Fungal culture was positive for Rhizopus species in 2/13 cases and molecular testing in two additional cases corresponding to Rhizopus and Syncephalastrum spp. Conclusion: FNA provides quick and conclusive diagnosis of mucormycosis from varied anatomic sites enabling prompt institution of therapy. The tissue response is variable and to some extent dependent on the immune status of the patient.

Zoonotic diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites and they comprise about 75% of all emerging infectious diseases. These can be transmitted via the direct (scratches on skin or animal bites) or indirect mode (through environmental shedding of infectious agent by the infected animal) of transmission. Environmental changes, whether in the form of urbanization, industrialization or destruction of wildlife habitats, lead to more human invasion in wildlife areas, subsequently leading to an increased passage of animals towards human dwellings and more exposure to animals, making humans susceptible to these infections. Climate change is another major factor. Global warming and the evolving thermotolerance of fungi, adapting more to human body temperature than their saprophytic nature, is leading to the emergence of humans as new hosts for fungi. The domestication of animals, rising populations, enhanced tourism, migratory populations, intrusions into wildlife, etc., are other known factors. Zoonotic fungal infections have long been neglected and are now gaining due attention. In this review, we briefly discuss the various aspects currently known for zoonotic fungal infections and bring forth the importance of this particular issue to be addressed in a timely manner.

Abstract Background Leiomyosarcomas of urinary bladder constitute rare malignant sarcomas with very few cases reported in literature. Case presentation Here, we present a case of bladder leiomyosarcoma in a well-preserved female. She failed to respond to standard chemotherapy and had a rapidly downhill course with unusual metastases in anastomotic site and peritoneum soon after surgery. Despite multimodality management including resection of primary and metastatic site, systemic therapy and pelvic radiotherapy, our patient had dismal prognosis with an overall survival of 1.7 years. Conclusion Leiomyosarcomas of bladder are aggressive tumors and have a very poor prognosis; thus, future research should focus on optimizing more effective treatment regimes.

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) is a rare mesenchymal uterine tumor and the histological variant, sclerosing PEComa is exceedingly rare. Sclerosing PEComas preferentially occur in the retroperitoneum and occurrence in the uterine corpus is seldom seen. These tumors pose a diagnostic challenge and need distinction from morphological mimickers such as epithelioid smooth muscle tumors, endometrial stromal sarcoma, and metastatic carcinoma. Accurate diagnosis can be established coupling histomorphology with immunostaining. The distinction from other entities is of prime importance considering the therapeutic and prognostic implications. Herein, we describe a case of uterine sclerosing variant of PEComa with diagnostic difficulties and key to diagnose this entity.

Background: Recently, the Indian Academy of Cytologists (IAC) has published the guidelines for interpretation and reporting of serous effusions. Till date, there are no studies on its applicability. Aims: The present study was carried out to assess the feasibility of applying the IAC reporting categories to effusions, determine the frequency, and provide an estimate of the risk of malignancy (ROM) for individual diagnostic categories. Materials and Methods: All cases of serous effusion fluids reported in the year 2019 were retrieved from the archives and reassigned as per the IAC diagnostic categories. The clinical and histopathological follow-up information was obtained wherever possible. Results: A total of 1340 effusion samples were received from 1085 patients. There were 561 (51.7%) males and 524 (48.3%) females. Majority were pleural (1066, 79.5%), followed by peritoneal (187, 14%) and pericardial (87, 6.5%) effusions. The age ranged from 7 months to 92 years. There were 35 (2.6%) samples in category 1 (non-diagnostic), 954 (71.2%) in category 2 (benign), 17 (1.3%) in category 3 (atypical), 59 (4.4%) in category 4 (suspicious for malignancy) and 275 (20.5%) in category 5 (malignant). The estimated ROM in serous effusion samples was 20% for category 1, 16.7% for category 2, 50% for category 3, 94.4% for category 4 and 100% for category 5. Conclusions: The categorization of serous effusion cytology samples as per the IAC diagnostic categories and as per the reporting format developed by the IAC is feasible and the management recommendations are mostly appropriate.

Background: Vitiligo is the most prevalent pigmentary disorder occurring worldwide. In most cases, the diagnosis is made by clinical examination alone. The disease status (active/stable) needs to be assessed to make appropriate therapeutic decisions. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the histopathological and immunohistochemical features in active and stable lesions. Materials and Methods: Biopsies from vitiliginous areas from 50 patients (25 each of clinically active and stable vitiligo); with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson Fontana (MF), S-100, and human melanoma black-45 (HMB-45) stained sections were studied. Results: Age of the patients ranged from 7 to 69 years (mean age: 33.6 ± 15.73 years). Of 50 patients, 27 (54%) were male and 23 (46%) were female. All the cases showed variable degree of basal hypopigmentation. Histopathological findings, epidermal spongiosis, basal vacuolar degeneration, dermal melanophages, and dermal lymphomononuclear cells were commonly observed in active lesions as compared to the stable ones. On MF staining, 23/25 cases (92%) of active vitiligo showed complete loss of basal melanin. Quantitative analysis of HMB-45 immunostaining in stable and active vitiligo revealed mean number of positive melanocytes as 2.52 ± 1.0/high power field (hpf) and 0.08 ± 0.28/hpf, respectively, while on S-100 immunostaining the mean values of positive Langerhans cells were 1.70 ± 0.38/hpf and 7.78 ± 4.11/hpf, respectively. Conclusion: The demonstration of overall reduction in the number of HMB-45-positive melanocytes and increase in S-100-positive Langerhans dendritic cells in the active vitiligo lesions is facilitated by immunohistochemistry. The technique is of immense help in differentiating active and stable stages of vitiligo, thus guiding therapy.

Cardiac involvement in multiple myeloma is rare. We report a rapidly progressive atrial mass and plasma cell–infiltrated pericardial effusion with tamponade. Bone marrow biopsy and plasma immunoelectrophoresis confirmed multiple myeloma (Revised International Staging System Stage III). The patient died within 18 weeks of presentation, suggesting aggressive disease with poor prognosis. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.)

Cutaneous metastases of visceral cancers are uncommon, as metastases generally have a predilection to occur on skin surfaces near the site of a primary tumor. Metastasis to the skin from gastric carcinoma appears to most commonly occur in the umbilical region. Metastasis to the scalp is rare, as in the present case, often leading to differential diagnoses of primary cutaneous tumors. Promptly diagnosing metastases of internal malignancies is crucial for enabling early treatment. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2016; 5(3.000): 190-193]

Background: The management of musculoskeletal neoplasms requires an accurate diagnosis, histologic type, and degree of tumor differentiation. Aim: The present study was undertaken to compare the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal tumors and further to compare the results with histopathological examination of surgical specimens. Grading of malignant tumors was also compared on these techniques. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 50 patients with musculoskeletal neoplasms. Detailed history, clinical examination, and radiological investigations were undertaken. FNAC followed by CNB were performed in each case. The tumors were categorized as benign and malignant with a definitive histotype diagnosis. For malignant neoplasms, cytologic and histologic gradings were done into three grades. The sensitivity and specificity of FNAC and CNB were compared. Results: Of the 50 cases with musculoskeletal neoplasms, 32 (64%) were bone tumors and 18 (36%) were soft tissue tumors. The sensitivity of FNAC and CNB for categorizing bone tumors into benign and malignant was 94.7%. For soft tissue tumors, FNAC had a sensitivity of 90.9% and CNB had a sensitivity of 100%. The specificity of both the techniques, FNA and CNB for bone and soft tissue tumors was 100%. For malignant bone tumors, cytologic grade was concordant with CNB grade in 72.2% of the cases. Cytologic grade was concordant with the grade on CNB in 81.8% cases for malignant soft tissue neoplasms. Conclusion: FNAC and CNB alleviate the need for an open biopsy in diagnosing and grading musculoskeletal neoplasms, thus facilitating appropriate therapeutic intervention.

Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by the yeast belonging to the Cryptococcus species which includes broadly two categories Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. It most commonly affects the lungs and central nervous system, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Other sites of dissemination include skin, ends of long bones, joints, liver, spleen, kidneys, prostate and other tissues. A 32-year-old male patient came to surgical OPD with complaints of a right posterior thigh swelling extending up to knee measuring approximately 8x6 cm. There was a past history of receiving Anti-Tubercular Treatment (ATT) for three months but without any improvement in symptoms. MRI of the thigh suggested a possibility of cold abscess or chronic haematoma. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of the thigh showed numerous spherical encapsulated yeast cells with only few macrophages in the background. Special stains like Periodic Acid–Schiff (PAS) highlighted the fungus while mucicarmine highlighted the capsule of fungi. Ziehl Neelsen stain for acid fast bacilli was negative. A final cytological diagnosis of cryptococcosis was given which was confirmed by the culture reports. In developing countries like India where there is high incidence of tuberculosis, fungal infection like cryptococcosis is likely to be missed particularly if high index of clinical suspicion for tuberculosis is present.

The diabetic population faces 80% increased risk of cellulitis, 4-fold increased risk of osteomyelitis and 2-fold risk of both sepsis and death caused by infections.Study objectives. The present study was carried out to assess the clinical aspects and microbiological profile of organisms isolated from 25 patients undergoing diabetic limb amputations.Materials and Methods. In 25 diabetes persons who underwent limb amputation, grading of ulcers was done according to Wagner system. Material was stained with Gram stain. Potassium hydroxide wet mounts were also studied. Culture was done in blood agar, MacConkey agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar tube slants and brain heart infusion broth and examined for growth. The histopathology sections were also studied and special stains were done.Results. Of 25 cases, 16 were males and 9 were females. The age ranged from 30 to 90 years (mean: 58?10.91). Majority of ulcers were grade 3. Osteomyelitis was seen in 13 (52%) cases; acute in 2 (8%), chronic in 3 (12%) and acute exacerbation of chronic osteomyelitis in 8 (32%) cases. On culture Proteus mirabilis was isolated in majority of cases followed by Escherichia coli. In 20 cases more than one bacterium were isolated. Candida was cultured in 8 cases followed by Trichosporon in 2 and Fusarium in one case. On histopathology Candida was seen in 3 cases, while one case showed spores of Trichosporon. 80% cases with osteomyelitis had polymicrobial infection.Conclusions. The isolation of etiologic agent helps in administering appropriate antibiotic regimens, thus reducing the problem of multidrug resistance, morbidity and surgical limb amputations in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus.

Background: Hydatid disease is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus. Liver is the most commonly involved organ followed by the lungs. Pulmonary hydatidosis can be primary or secondary. The disease may be asymptomatic for several years. Cause of concern is the fatal anaphylaxis, which may be life threatening. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study is over a period of ten years (2003-2012). The demographic data including the clinical features, radiological findings, other organ involvement, surgical and medical management done and histopathological findings were compiled from the records. Results: During the study period a total of eight cases, five male and three female, with age ranging from eight to 43 years were diagnosed as pulmonary hydatid disease. Five patients had presented with complicated cysts. Six patients had solitary cysts involving the lung while bilateral lung involvement was seen in two cases. One patient had multiple pulmonary cysts. Three patients had associated cysts in liver and two in spleen. Surgical lobectomy was done in four cases. Histopathology showed acellular laminated ectocysts in all the cases, whereas endocyst with brood capsules was seen in five cases. Conclusions: Pulmonary hydatidosis is not uncommon. Anaphylaxis, although rarely seen, may be a disastrous event. High index of clinical suspicion and mass awareness for interruption of transmission of parasite can lead to proper treatment and possible eradication.

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare intricate pediatric neoplasm with varied clinical manifestations and multiple treatment modalities. Aim: To study the cytological features of LCH and the differential diagnoses on fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Materials and Methods: FNA was performed using a 23-gauge needle fitted to a 10 mL syringe mounted on syringe holder. LCH was diagnosed on FNA smears in seven cases confined to the head and neck region, which included three cases of lymphadenopathy, three cases of scalp swelling, and one case of orbital swelling. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 25 days to 11 years and male-to-female ratio was 1:1.3. Clinically, the diagnoses suggested were tuberculosis, inflammatory lesion, abscess, and malignancy. The cytologic findings included high cellularity, isolated Langerhans cells (LCs) with prominent nuclear indentation, grooves and abundant vacuolated cytoplasm, multinucleated giant cells, eosinophils, and lymphocytes. Areas of necrosis were noted in one case. Histopathology, along with positive S-100 immunohistochemistry, confirmed the diagnosis of LCH. Conclusions: LCH is a rare disease occurring predominantly in children and can be diagnosed with ease on FNA cytology by the presence of characteristic Langerhans cells. The S-100 positivity aids in suggesting a diagnosis of LCH.

Background: Grading and hormone receptor determination in breast carcinoma are predictive factors for response to hormonal therapy. Aim: This study was undertaken to grade breast carcinoma and to determine estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Furthermore, the objective was to compare the results with histological grading and immunohistochemistry on surgical material. Materials and Methods: Fifty cases of breast carcinoma diagnosed on FNAC were included. The cytological grading was done according to the Robinson′s grading system. The corresponding histology sections were graded using the modified Bloom-Richardson system. Immunostaining for ER and PR was done on smears and tissue sections. Results: On both cytological and histological evaluation, 49 cases were infiltrating ductal carcinoma and one case was colloid carcinoma. On comparing cytological and histological grading, 78% were correctly graded on cytology. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for ER detection on immunocytochemistry (ICC) were 55.6%, 95%, 93.8% and 61.3%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for PR detection on ICC were 57.7%, 95.2%, 93.8% and 64.5%, respectively. The correlation for ER and PR between cytology and histology was 72.3% and 74.5%. Conclusion: The grading along with ER and PR immunostaining of breast carcinoma on smears is advocated because of high concordance between cytology and histology. This allows the patient to be treated with hormonal therapy on the basis of FNAC alone.

Foreign body aspiration mostly presents as acute emergency with cough, choking and dyspnoea. Rarely aspiration of foreign body may be the underlying cause in patients presenting with long term symptomatologies. Here is a case of 60-year-old male who came for surgical management of cholelithiasis. During his workup, X-ray chest revealed right paracardiac opacity. Fibre-optic bronchoscopy showed a mass lesion in right main bronchus. It was taken out of the airways by flexible bronchoscope but could not be retrieved. Subsequent chest radiographs showed marked improvement.

AIM:To determine the causative agents of fungal keratitis and study the predisposing factors over a period of ten years in a single tertiary care hospital.METHODS:A retrospective analysis of fungal corneal ulcers was done from 2003-2012. Patients’ clinical data were noted from the file records. Correlation of histopathological diagnosis was done with the report on fungal culture.RESULTS: Mycotic keratitis was established in 44 cases by a positive fungal culture. Direct microscopic examination of potassium hydroxide (KOH) mounts revealed fungal elements in 39 cases while 40 cases showed fungus on Gram stained smears. Males (54.55%) were more commonly affected than the females (45.45%). The age ranged from 18 to 82 years. Most common age group to be involved was 41-60 years. Predisposing risk factors were seen in 34 (77.27%) cases. Most common findings on clinical examination were anterior chamber reaction and conjunctival injection seen in all the cases. Other common findings were stromal infiltration and hypopyon seen in 20 (45.45%) and 18 (40.91%) cases respectively. On histopathological examination the fungus was typed, as aspergillus in 34 cases while no definite typing was possible in 10 cases. The predominant isolate was aspergillus flavus (59.09%) followed by fusarium (15.91%). Mixed fungal and bacterial infection was seen in 3 (6.82%) cases.CONCLUSION:Although culture is the gold standard for definitive diagnosis of fungal keratitis, direct microscopic examination of corneal scrapings or histomorphological evaluation of biopsies allow a rapid preliminary diagnosis. Early administration of antifungal treatment helps in preventing dreadful complications.

Background: Paraganglioma is a rare tumor arising from clusters of neuroendocrine cells in association with sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. It poses a diagnostic challenge because of its widespread anatomic distribution, subtle clinical manifestations, and a variety of morphologic patterns. Aim: The aim of this study is to have an insight into the diverse morphologic spectrum of extra-adrenal paraganglioma (EAP). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of seven cytologically diagnosed cases of EAP over a period of 10 years was performed. There were five superficial swellings and two deep seated retroperitoneal masses. The superficial swellings were aspirated directly, and the retroperitoneal masses were aspirated under ultrasound guidance using 22-gauge lumbar puncture needle fitted to a 10 mL syringe. Smears were reviewed for cellularity, pattern, cell shape, cytoplasm, nuclear features, and background. Results: The age of patients ranged from 25 to 75 years; four patients were males and three were females. Sites involved were carotid body region (four cases), para-pharyngeal space (one case) and para-aortic region (two cases). All the cases yielded hemorrhagic material on fine-needle aspiration. Smears showed scattered and clusters of cells and loosely cohesive acini of tumor cells. Cells were round to polygonal with pleomorphic nuclei, granular chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, and moderate to abundant cytoplasm containing fine pink granules and vacuolations. The cases were confirmed on radiology and histopathology. Conclusion: The cytologic features in EAP along with pertinent clinicoradiologic findings help in making an accurate preoperative diagnosis of an otherwise rare tumor.

Background: The diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) depends on identification of the infecting organism. The diagnosis presents as a challenge due to its diverse clinical presentation and low yield of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in tissue sections. Aim: The aim of the present study is immunohistochemical localization of tubercle bacilli or their components that persist in the granulomas, but have lost the property of staining with acid-fast stain, assess the advantage of immunostaining over conventional Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and further to study the staining pattern on immunohistochemistry (IHC). Materials and Methods: The study population comprised 100 suspected cases of TB. Tissue sections from these were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin, ZN and IHC staining using polyclonal antibody to Mycobacterium tuberculosis followed by a comparative analysis of the results. Cases of lepromatous leprosy were used as a positive control. Results: Acid-fast bacilli were identified by ZN stain in 23% of cases. IHC identified 72% cases. In the present study, IHC had higher sensitivity (95.56%) and negative predictive value (96.43%), but lower specificity (35.06%) and positive predictive value (30.56%) than ZN stain which had the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of 30.56%, 96.43%, 95.65% and 41.56% respectively. Conclusion: Immunohistochemistry is a simple and sensitive technique for localization of tubercle bacilli and their components on tissue sections. It can be easily incorporated in routine histopathology laboratory and serve as an efficient diagnostic adjunct to conventional ZN staining. This will help reduce the practice of prescribing empirical antitubercular treatment based on clinical suspicion alone.

Introduction: Melanocytic lesions in children are unique challenging propositions both for the dermatologist and the pathologist. The potential for malignant change in melanocytic lesions is a cause for concern and distinction between benign nevus and malignant melanoma is crucial and at times can be extremely difficult. Aim: To decipher the clinicopathological spectrum of melanocytic lesions in Asian children because of rarity of such studies in our population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all the cases diagnosed as melanocytic lesions in children less than 14 years of age was carried out between 1995 and 2014. The demographic data including the age at diagnosis, gender and site of lesion was compiled from the case files. Histopathological findings and final diagnosis rendered were also studied. Results: Skin and conjunctival biopsy specimens of melanocytic lesions from 27 pediatric patients formed the study group. The age at presentation ranged from 8 months to 14 years. The mean age at diagnosis was 10.28 years. Twelve (44.44%) lesions were from male children and 15 (55.56%) from female children. Majority, 18 (66.67%) were found in head and neck region. Of 27 childhood melanocytic lesions, 5 (18.52%) were benign pigmented lesions, 20 (74.07%) were benign nevi and 1 (3.70%) case each of non-giant congenital melanocytic nevus and Spitz nevus. No case of malignant melanoma was reported. Conclusion: Our data highlights the female predominance of pediatric melanocytic lesions, with benign nevi being the most common and head and neck a favored site. Pediatric melanoma although a rarity in Asian children, should not be missed and must be differentiated from atypical spitzoid lesions, the great mimickers of true melanoma.

Giant cell tumor of soft tissues (GCT-ST) is a rare entity with unpredictable clinical behavior. However, metastasis and tumor-related death are rarities if these are adequately treated. GCT-ST is required to be distinguished from giant cell-rich tumors of the bone and other soft tissue neoplasms. Coexistence of multiple neurofibromas with GCT-ST is cited in very few literature reports, hence this case report. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2014; 3(3.000): 190-192]

Metastasis to the thyroid gland is rare with majority of cases discovered during an autopsy. Clinical presentation with a palpable thyroid or functional disturbances in thyroid is uncommon. We report isolated metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to the thyroid gland diagnosed on fine-needle aspiration cytology which is minimally invasive and a preferred preliminary diagnostic modality in palpable thyroid swellings. A diagnosis of extra thyroidal SCC is a diagnosis of exclusion when there is no evidence of a coexistent recognizable primary thyroid cancer and/or molecular signatures suggestive of thyroidal origin.