Mohd Jaseem Hassan

An Analysis of Hematological Parameters as a Diagnostic test for Malaria in Patients with Acute Febrile Illness: An Institutional Experience.

OBJECTIVES Hematological changes are among the most common complications encountered in malaria. This study analyzes and statistically evaluates the hematological changes as a diagnostic test for malaria in patients with acute febrile illness and whether these could guide the physician to institute specific antimalarial treatment. METHODS The present study was an observational study, conducted from January to December 2012. A total of 723 patients presenting with acute febrile illness at our hospital were evaluated. A complete blood count and malarial parasite microscopy were performed for each patient. RESULTS The findings showed that 172 out of 723 patients (24%) were diagnosed to have malaria by positive smear report. There were 121 males and 51 females with a male to female ratio of 2.3:1. Maximum number of cases were seen in the 20-30 years age group. There was a statistically significant reduction in hemoglobin (p<0.005), platelet count (p<0.001) and total leukocyte count (p<0.001) levels in patients with malaria compared to those without the disease. Likelihood ratios for a positive result of platelets (6.2) and total leukocyte count (3.4) was relevant as compared to hemoglobin (1.61) and Red cell distribution width (1.79). The negative predictive values for hemoglobin (79%), total leukocyte count (86%), platelets (94%) and Red cell distribution width (93%) were significant. Red cell distribution width values were found to be higher in patients with malaria than in patients without malaria (p<0.001). CONCLUSION This study revealed that routinely used laboratory findings such as hemoglobin, leukocytes, platelet counts and even red cell distribution width values can provide a diagnostic clue in a patient with acute febrile illness in endemic areas, thus increasing the probability of malaria and enhancing prompt initiation of treatment.

A Critical Appraisal of the Spectrum of Image Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology: A Three Year Experience from a Tertiary Care Centre in Delhi.

Abstract Objective: Image guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a safe, simple, rapid, cost effective and accurate modality in evaluation of deep seated lumps (abdominal, pelvic and intrathoracic masses) which are unapproachable by blind FNAC. In this study, a critical analysis of the utility of image guided FNAC in deep seated and otherwise inacessible mass lesions was carried out. Material and Method: Fifty-four ultrasound (USG) or computed tomography (CT) guided FNACs from lumps at any location in the body, that is, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic etc over a period of 3 years (January 2012- December 2014) were included in the study. The most common site aspirated, the indications for a guided aspiration and the accuracy of aspiration cytology in comparison to the histological diagnosis were evaluated, wherever possible. Results: Fifty-four image guided FNACs were performed (46 USG guided and 8 CT guided). Inconclusive, inflammatory, benign tumors, suspicious and malignant lesion rates were 5.6%, 29.6%, 11.1%, 5.6%, and 48.1%, respectively. The most common site was the liver (25.5%), followed by the thyroid (18.5%), lung (14.8%), gallbladder (11.1%), and lymph nodes (7.4%). Cytohistological correlation could be performed in 32 cases with a diagnostic accuracy of 100%. Conclusion: FNAC coupled with a diagnostic imaging technique such as USG or CT can improve the diagnostic yield and a definite diagnosis can be reached in most of the cases.

Cystic Change in Pleomorphic Adenoma: A Rare Finding and a Diagnostic Dilemma.

Pleomorphic adenoma forms the majority of salivary gland neoplasms. Cystic change in pleomorphic adenomas is a diagnostic dilemma and can mimic mucoepidermoid carcinoma, mucocele or carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Hereby we report this interesting and rare case of cystic pleomorphic adenoma in a 32-year-old male.

Cellular leiomyoma versus endometrial stromal tumor: A pathologists' dilemma

Uterine smooth muscle tumors and endometrial stromal tumors (ESTs) are the two major types of mesenchymal tumors of the uterus, the latter being fairly uncommon. Among these, endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) accounts for 0.2-1.5% of all uterine malignancies. Although routine histopathological examination is sufficient to distinguish between ESS and smooth muscle tumors in most of the cases, the distinction between ESTs and highly cellular leiomyomas (CMs), on several occasions becomes a great diagnostic challenge for the pathologist. The differentiation between EST and CM is necessary on account of the variable clinical course and slight variation in the therapy. However, this is difficult due to the tendency of endometrial stromal cells to differentiate into well-developed smooth muscle cells as well as overlapping immunohistochemical profile in some cases. We hereby report a series of cases which posed a diagnostic challenge to us as to whether they are CMs or ESTs. We therefore discuss the histological features which helped us resolve this dilemma as well as the utility of immunohistochemistry (IHC) as a diagnostic aid in arriving at a final diagnosis in such problematic cases.

Isolated lingual cysticercosis: A rare case diagnosed on cytology

Cysticercosis is caused by larval stage of Taenia solium called cysticercus cellulosae. Cysticercosis most commonly infects skeletal muscles, subcutaneous tissues, brain and ocular tissue. On extensive search of literature, only around 64 cases of lingual cysticercosis have been reported till date. We report a case of cysticercosis of tongue in a 35‐year‐old male who presented with a painless, slowly growing swelling over the lateral border of tongue. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed wavy integument of cysticercus cellulosae alongwith inflammatory cells. The findings were confirmed on histopathology. No other cystic swelling was encountered in the body on retrospective examination and investigations. This case is being presented on account of its rarity as well as the utility of FNAC as a primary diagnostic technique in evaluation of parasitic lesions.

Papillary cystic variant of acinic cell carcinoma presenting as parotid tail tumor.

Acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon low-grade tumor of the salivary glands that constitutes 2.5–4% of parotid gland tumors. Papillary cystic variant (PCV) of ACC is even rarer and can be diagnosed on histopathological examination only. It is important to diagnose this variant as it carries a poor prognosis when compared with other variants of ACC and is known to be universally fatal in 10 years. The present case describes ACC-PCV in a 20-year-old male, which presented as a slow growing parotid tail tumor and was misdiagnosed as a benign lesion both cytologically and radiologically. This case emphasizes the importance of histopathological examination in parotid masses as well as the need to consider malignant lesion in the differential diagnosis of a parotid tail tumor.

Infarcted Fibroadenoma: An unusual case with its Cyto-histopathological Correlation

Fibroadenoma is a benign breast lesion of adolescents and young women.It constitute 20% of all benign breast tumours. Fibroadenoma is associated with many secondary changes like calcification, ossification, hyalinization, myxoid and apocrine squamous metaplasia. Spontaneous infarction in fibroadenoma is very rarely seen. We report one such case of spontaneous infarction of fibroadenoma in a 16 year old unmarried female with its cyto-histopathological correlation, that posed us with diagnostic dilemma in early stage. The possibility of this entity should be considered while diagnosing the breast lumps on cytology .The lesion was further confirmed on histology.

Coexistence of tuberculosis and malignancy: a mere coincidence or a causal association:

Tuberculosis (TB) and malignancy are among the most important current global health problems. Many authors suggest that their coexistence is a chance association owing to their high prevalence. There is, however, enough evidence that one condition may predispose the other. In our retrospective report of two cases, TB in draining lymph nodes was discovered incidentally on histopathology, following surgical resection for malignancy. The possibility of coexistent lesions, especially in regions endemic for TB, mandate a detailed histopathological examination to prevent the chances of diagnostic failure and thus therapeutic error.

Unusual Histology in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Report of an Interesting Case

Hodgkin’s lymphoma has a significant presence in the Indian subcontinent. Microscopically, the hallmark of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) is the Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cell, which is usually surrounded by a cellular infiltrate of non-malignant inflammatory cells that constitute the majority of the tumor tissue. Cells which are known to be histologic mimics of HRS cells include immunoblasts, plasmablasts and rarely dendritic cells. We report a case of a 70-year-old male who presented with fever and lymphadenopathy. In the present case, the large cells with prominent nucleoli stained positively for both CD15 and CD30 and hence the possibility of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy which was considered on the H&E-stained sections was excluded. In addition, noteworthy microscopic features in this case were angiogenesis and the presence of mast cells, both associated with a poor prognosis. The clinical impression was that of disseminated tuberculosis, but on histopathology, the final opinion was ‘Hodgkin’s lymphoma not classifiable with an unusual histology’. The aim of reporting this case is to highlight the unusual presentation in the form of prominent angiogenesis and mast cell infiltration in a case of HL, which is indicative of a poor prognosis.

Malignant Melanoma Presenting as a Mediastinal Malignant Melanoma Presenting as a Mediastinal Unknown Primary Origin

The most common site of primary malignant melanoma is the skin, however, virtually any organ system may be involved. Metastatic melanoma of unknown primary origin accounts for approximately 2-6% of all melanoma cases. The mediastinum as the site for malignant melanoma is extremely rare, both as a primary or metastatic lesion. Primary malignant melanoma of mediastinum is very rare with only a handful of reports in the literature. We hereby report a rare case of malignant melanoma of mediastinum in a 31 year old male who was initially misdiagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology as adenocarcinoma for which he received chemotherapy with clinical deterioration. Even on extensive meticulous search, no primary was discovered.