M. Ashraf Ali

Application of electron microscopy in the interpretation of fine‐needle aspiration biopsies

A series of 31 fine‐needle aspiration biopsies were studied ultrastructurally in order to evaluate the usefulness of electron microscopy in the diagnosis of aspiration biopsies. In seven cases, the electron microscopic findings were crucial to the diagnosis. In the remaining cases, electron microscopy helped to confirm the light microscopic diagnosis. In addition, in a number of cases the diagnosis rendered following electron microscopy was much more precise and specific than was possible with light microscopy alone. It is concluded that electron microscopy has a definite place in the diagnosis of fineneedle aspiration biopsies and should be increasingly utilized on a selective basis.

Aspiration cytology of neuroblastoma: light and electron microscopic correlations

Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) smears from 16 cases of neuroblastoma are reviewed, and various cytomorphologic features helpful in diagnosing this tumor are described. Cytoplasmic processes were present in ten cases, and pseudorosettes in three cases. Electron microscopic study of FNAB samples revealed that all diagnostically important features, such as cell processes, neurosecretory granules, and synaptic cell junctions, could be recognized. These findings indicate that FNAB studied by light and electron microscopy is an effective method for diagnosing neuroblastoma.

Hepatic tumors in Saudi Arabia. A practical approach to diagnosis

All cases of liver tumor referred to the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Saudi Arabia during 2.5 years were reviewed. Hepatocellular carcinoma, 104 cases, was considerably more common than metastatic carcinoma with unknown primary, 15 cases. Lymphoma presenting as liver tumor occurred in three cases and there were no cases of cholangiocarcinoma. There were only two cases of benign tumor, both hemangioma. Hepatocellular carcinoma was characterized by a male predominance of 6:1, positive hepatitis B surface antigen in 60%, presentation with an enlarged, hard liver in over 90%, a systolic‐diastolic bruit over the mass in 45%, a single highly echogenic lesion in the right lobe on ultrasound in 80%, and rapid progression. The serum AST (aspartate aminotransferase, serumglutamic oxalacetic transaminase [SGOT]) was abnormal in 97% and was higher than the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in 93% of cases compared with 17% in 100 consecutive cases of chronic active hepatitis. Sixty‐six percent of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma had serum AFP greater than 200 ng/ml. Excluding five cases of germ cell tumor (none involving the liver), and pregnant patients, serum AFP was less than 200 ng/ml in all other patients in whom it was measured between 1979 and 1981. A practical approach to the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma is outlined. Biopsy does not appear to be indicated in many cases of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Gastric Lymphoma: Histopathologic Review of 64 Cases

ABSTRACT Sixty-four cases of gastric lymphoma seen at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre between October 1975 and September 1985 were reviewed. There were 34 males and 30 females. ...

Diagnosis of Chronic Active Hepatitis: A Review of 100 Cases

ABSTRACT We reviewed 100 consecutive cases of chronic active hepatitis, 50 of cirrhosis and 25 of chronic persistent hepatitis. Hepatitis B surface antigen was positive in 51 of the chronic active ...

Spindle and Giant Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid

ABSTRACT A retrospective chart review of all 15 patients presenting with anaplastic spindle and giant cell carcinoma of the thyroid at King Faisal Specialist Hospital between July 1975 and June 198...

Role of Cell Block in the Interpretation of Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsies

ABSTRACT This study is based on a retrospective analysis of 210 fine-needle aspiration biopsies in which both cytology smears and paraffin cell blocks were available. The histology slides from thes...

Therapy for Ewing's Sarcoma: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre Experience

ABSTRACT Forty-one patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of Ewing’s sarcoma were treated between the years 1976 and 1983. Thirty patients without metastasis at diagnosis were treated wit...

Ultrastructure of Histiocytosis X a Study of 9 Cases with Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT A series of biopsies from nine patients diagnosed as having histiocytosis X were studied by electron microscopy. In five cases the tissues were fixed in glutaraldehyde, in three cases fixe...

Kaposi’s Sarcoma in Recipients of Renal Transplants: Report of two cases and review of the literature

ABSTRACT Two cases of Kaposis (KS) sarcoma developing in renal transplant recipients are presented. One patient, in whom the disease was limited to skin and oropharynx, responded dramatically to r...