C Jayaprakash

Fine needle aspiration cytology of male breast lesions - a retrospective study over a six year period.

BACKGROUND Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has a well-established role in the management of palpable breast lumps. However breast masses in males are rarely aspirated and hence there is limited cytopathologic experience. The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy of FNAC in the diagnosis of male breast lesions and also we attempted to describe the cytomorphological features of some of these lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data on male breast FNAC done between 2008 to 2013 were retrieved from the records of the cytopathology laboratory. FNAC diagnosis were categorized as benign, malignant, suspicious for malignancy and inadequate or unsatisfactory. Cytohistologic correlation was done with data from histopathology records. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy were calculated using standard statistical methods. RESULTS Forty out of 1098 patients undergoing breast FNAC were males. Histopathology was available in 8 (20%) out of 40 cases. There were no false positive or false negative diagnoses. FNAC had a sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 100% for male breast lesions. CONCLUSION FNAC is a very accurate tool for the diagnosis of male breast lesions. It is highly sensitive and specific with good cytohistologic correlation. To reduce the high rate of surgical biopsies of benign male breast masses, we conclude that FNAC should be performed as a standard procedure in the clinical evaluation of male breast lesions.

A clinicohematological evaluation of pancytopenia in a tertiary care hospital in South India

Objective: The aim of this study is to study the incidence of the underlying etiology of pancytopenia presenting at our institution with a clinical and hematological correlation. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 12 months′ duration was carried out, which included patients of all age groups. Of the 60 patients presenting with pancytopenia, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy were done on 30 cases, after taking an informed consent. Patients who had received previous blood transfusion and were on chemo- and radiotherapy were excluded. A detailed clinical examination of all cases was carried out. Results: The most common etiology of pancytopenia in our study was normoblastic erythroid hyperplasia (30%), followed by megaloblastic anemia (20%). This was followed by acute myeloid leukemia (13.3%) and closely by micronormoblastic erythroid maturation (10%) and miscellaneous etiologies. Conclusion: The varied causes of pancytopenia can be attributed to the geographic area, genetic differences, stringency of diagnostic criteria, and differences in the methodology used. There are varying trends in its clinical pattern, treatment modalities, and outcomes. The severity of pancytopenia and the underlying pathology determines the management and prognosis. Thus, identification of the correct cause will help in implementing the appropriate therapy.