Kusuma Venkatesh

Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Kidney

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the kidney is a rare tumor with an aggressive behaviour. A 55-year-old woman presented with a left sided abdominal mass in our outpatient department. Radiologic investigations revealed the mass to be renal in origin with colonic adhesions for which radical nephrectomy and hemicolectomy were done. The tumor completely appeared to replace the left kidney and had a whorled character focally on cut section. Microscopically, spindle cells having malignant features with cigar shaped nuclei were seen. The smooth muscle origin of the cells was confirmed by immunohistochemical positivity for smooth muscle actin. Sarcomatoid variant of the renal cell carcinoma was ruled out as the tumor was negative for cytokeratin. Tumors with spindle cell morphology in the kidney should not always be taken for a sarcomatoid variant of renal cell carcinoma and should be investigated thoroughly.

Neural fibrolipoma without macrodactyly: a subcutaneous rare benign tumor.

Neural fibrolipoma, also known as lipofibromatous hamartoma of nerves and neurolipomatosis, is a rare subcutaneous benign lesion involving the upper extremity with a marked predilection for median nerve. In one‐third of the cases, it is associated with macrodactyly (enlargement of one or several digits of hands or feet), diminished sensation, paraesthesias and compression neuropathy. A 23‐year‐old male presented with a gradually increasing mass in the right palm without associated macrodactyly or neurodeficit. The surgical specimen showed a 20 × 18 × 3 cm, grey yellow fusiform mass. Cut section revealed presence of fibrofatty tissue within and around the enlarged nerve. Microscopy established the relation of nerve enlargement to infiltration of epineurium and perineurium by fibroadipose tissue separating normal nerve fascicles. Limited excision was the mainstay of conservative treatment. Neural fibrolipomas are a rare entity. Knowledge of characteristic histological and radiological findings is necessary for diagnosis and treatment.

Cytological diagnosis of actinomycosis and eumycetoma: A report of two cases

Mycetoma and actinomycosis are common in tropical countries and are increasingly diagnosed in other parts of the world due to rapid mobilization of the population. They are usually diagnosed on histopathology. There is very limited data on the role of fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in diagnosing these lesions. We report here two cases: one of eumycetoma and the other of an actinomycosis that were reliably diagnosed with FNAC. The cytological features were similar to histopathology features and differentiated eumycetoma and actinomycosis. FNAC is a rapid, simple and inexpensive outpatient procedure that helps in rapid diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010;38:918–920.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the urachus: A rare neoplasm in an unusual location

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are uncommon benign neoplasms in the abdomen, and urachal involvement is very rare. IMT of the urachus is usually mistaken clinically and radiologically for a malignant tumor. The tumor has spindle cell proliferation with a prominent inflammatory infiltrate and myxoid degeneration favoring other designations such as inflammatory pseudotumor and fibromyxoid pseudotumor. Complete excision is the treatment of choice. The case documented here was in a 50-year-old male, with an abdominal mass diagnosed on computed tomography scan as adenocarcinoma of urachus infiltrating the bladder. Histopathology showed a benign spindle cell tumor invading bladder muscle. Immunohistochemistry aided in diagnosing an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-1 positive IMT. Approximately, 50% of the IMTs show ALK positivity, and though when present, it indicates neoplastic nature of the spindle cells, the pathogenesis of IMT is still elusive. The urachal IMTs need documentation in literature for their rarity and diagnostic dilemma posed by them.

Characterisation of graphite using boron as a marker element

Graphite has many industrial applications. Two of the most important applications are as electrodes in industries and as moderator in nuclear industry. Determination of the Boron Equivalent of the impurity elements in graphite is the most important parameter for certifying the grade of graphite electrode [1]. The use of a suitable method with low limits of determination of boron is therefore necessary. A method has been standardised in Analytical Chemistry Division, BARC for determining trace amounts of boron in graphite electrodes. It involves controlled dissolution of graphite sample powder and measurement of boron by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) using matrix matched standards. The method detection limit is 1 μg g−1. The method Relative Standard Deviation was 5%. The method was verified by spike recovery experiments. Recoveries were found to be within 100±2% in the concentration range of 1 to 100 μg g−1. The developed method has been adopted for the compositional characterizatio...

Sertoli cell tumor arising in a cryptorchid testis presenting as a content of inguinal hernial sac.

Sertoli cell tumors (SCTs) are rare tumors accounting for <1% of all testicular tumors. Here, we report a rare case of SCT in a 60-year-old man presenting as a painless swelling in the right groin since childhood. Clinically, he presented with right-sided inguinal hernia with absence of the right testis. He had normal left testis and had no gynecomastia or infertility. The specimen of hernial sac showed testis with a 1.6 cm × 1.5 cm nodular mass having gray tan-cut surface. Histopathologically, the testis showed atrophy and the nodular portion showed tumor cells arranged in tubular and microcystic pattern, with no solid pattern or necrosis. The diagnosis of SCT was confirmed with immunohistochemical staining for inhibin which showed fine granular cytoplasmic positivity. Cryptorchid testis having SCT and presenting as a content of inguinal hernia is a rare occurrence.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of cervicofacial actinomycosis

Actinomycosis is a chronic infection caused by Actinomyces israelii , usually seen in immunocompromised patients or in the background of tissue injury. Cervicofacial actinomycosis presenting as a fixed jaw swelling in an elderly individual can mimic malignancy and pose a diagnostic dilemma. We report here a case of cervicofacial actinomycosis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration, along with a review of the relevant literature. A 60 year-old man presented with a gradually increasing 6 × 5 cm swelling in the left side of his jaw. The swelling was fixed, without any apparent sinus or abscess. Fine needle aspiration was diagnostic as it revealed colonies of actinomyces surrounded by polymorphs and chronic inflammatory cells. The histopathological study of the excised specimen confirmed the cytological findings. Fine needle aspiration is an effective tool in the diagnosis of actinomycosis although its documentation is rare. Difficulties in the management can be avoided by early diagnosis using the fine needle aspiration technique.