Malignant melanoma of soft parts with osteoclast-rich giant cells: A rare tumor of the jejunum

Malignant melanoma of soft parts (MMSP), first described by Franz M. Enzinger, is a rare tumor of unknown cell origin. We describe a case of a 45-year-old male who presented with a 1-year history of abdominal pain, weakness, and anaemia. Computerized tomography enteroclysis showed a mass in the jejunum that was suggestive of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. An ulceroinfiltrative lesion measuring 6.5 x 4 x 2 cm was identified. Microscopy revealed typical features of MMSP with numerous osteoclasts-like giant cells. The diverse histomorphology and immunohistochemical characteristics of this case involving a rare tumor at a rare site is presented.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: an unusual complication in Orientia tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus).

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an uncommon, potentially fatal, hyperinflammatory syndrome that may rarely complicate the clinical course of Orientia tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus). Methods: We describe here the clinicopathological features, laboratory parameters, management, and outcome data of three adult patients (1 female, 2 males) with scrub typhus associated HLH from a tertiary center with a brief and concise review of international literature. Results: All three patients satisfied the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria; one had multi organ dysfunction with “sky high” ferritin level; and all had a dramatic recovery following doxycyclin therapy. Literature review from January 1990 to March 2014 revealed that scrub typhus associated HLH were reported in 21 patients, mostly from the scrub endemic countries of the world. These included 11 females and 10 males with mean age of 35 years (range; 8 months to 81 years). Fifteen of 17 patients (where data was available) had a favorable outcome following early serological diagnosis and initiation of definitive antibiotic therapy with (N=6) or without (N=9) immunosuppressive/immunomodulator therapy. Mutation analysis for primary HLH was performed in one patient only, and HLH-2004 protocol was used in two patients. Conclusion: We suggest that HLH should be considered in severe cases of scrub typhus especially if associated with cytopenia (s), liver dysfunction, and coagulation abnormalities.  Further studies are required to understand whether an immunosuppressive and/or immunomodulator therapy could be beneficial in those patients who remain unresponsive to definitive antibiotic therapy

Comparison of different morphological parameters with duration of obstruction created experimentally in unilateral upper ureters: An animal model

Background: The objective of the following study is to determine and to compare the different morphological parameters with duration of obstruction created experimentally in unilateral upper ureters of rats. Materials and Methods: Unilateral upper ureteric obstruction was created in 60 adult Wistar rats that were reversed after predetermined intervals. Rats were sacrificed and ipsilateral kidneys were subjected for analysis of morphological parameters such as renal height, cranio-caudal diameter, antero-posterior diameter, lateral diameter, volume of the pelvis and average cortical thickness: Renal height. Results: Renal height and cranio-caudal diameter of renal pelvis after ipsilateral upper ureteric obstruction started rising as early as 7 days of creating obstruction and were affected earlier than antero-posterior and lateral diameter and also were reversed earlier than other parameters after reversal of obstruction. Renal cortical thickness and volume of the pelvis were affected after prolonged obstruction (> 3 weeks) and were the late parameters to be reversed after reversal of obstruction. Conclusions: Cranio-caudal diameter and renal height were the early morphological parameters to be affected and reversed after reversal of obstruction in experimentally created ipsilateral upper ureteric obstruction

Postauricular Leiomyosarcoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Leiomyosarcoma arising in the head and neck region is a rare entity. Auricular involvement by the disease is further rarer with few cases reported in the literature. Usually auricular leiomyosarcoma is a disease of middle-old age. We report a case of leiomyosarcoma of the postauricular region in a young adolescent female. Surgery along with adjuvant radiotherapy was used for complete cure. Patient is disease-free for the last eight years and is on regular yearly followup. The aim of reporting this case is to add to the scarce existing literature regarding auricular leiomyosarcoma and its long-term outcome. Also, this is the first case report in young adolescent and second only of the post auricular region

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Relapsing in Leukaemic Phase Presenting as Acute Leukaemia

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) accounts for 30% to 40% of the newly diagnosed adult non-Hodgkin lymphomas, but rarely presents in leukaemic phase. Here in, we report a case of DLBCL presenting in leukaemic phase and masquerading as acute leukaemia. A 28-year-old woman presented to our outpatient department with complaints of fever for 1 week. Her peripheral blood smear showed 5% to 8% blasts. Bone marrow aspirate showed an infiltration by ~30% blasts. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry confirmed relapse of DLBCL. Also, patient’s poor response to therapeutic regimen for DLBCL prompted to consider second differential diagnosis of acute leukaemia. This case is a learning case, as it emphasizes the combined role of diagnostic ancillary techniques along with clinical judgments for management. The case also makes us more vigilant towards the pathobiology of DLBCL and dynamics of personalized individual treatment response

Effect of ipsilateral ureteric obstruction on contralateral kidney and role of renin angiotensin system blockade on renal recovery in experimentally induced unilateral ureteric obstruction

Aims: To study, the effects of ipsilateral ureteric obstruction on contralateral kidney and the role of renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockade on renal recovery in experimentally induced unilateral ureteric obstruction. Materials and Methods: Unilateral upper ureteric obstruction was created in 96 adult Wistar rats that were reversed after pre-determined intervals. Losartan and Enalapril were given to different subgroups of rats following relief of obstruction. Results: The severity of dilatation on the contralateral kidney varied with duration of ipsilateral obstruction longer the duration more severe the dilatation. There is direct correlation between renal parenchymal damage, pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) fibrosis, inflammation and severity of pelvi-calyceal system dilatation of contralateral kidney with duration of ipsilateral PUJ obstruction. Conclusions: Considerable injury is also inflicted to the contralateral normal kidney while ipsilateral kidney remains obstructed. Use of RAS blocking drugs has been found to significantly improve renal recovery on the contralateral kidney. It can, thus, be postulated that contralateral renal parenchymal injury was mediated through activation of RAS

A Comparative Review of ICMR, WHO, and EMA Guidelines for Good Clinical Laboratory Practices

With the advancement of clinical research and the increased burden on laboratory services, there is an unmet need for guidelines regarding proper laboratory functioning and reliable data generation. Several organizations from all over the world have published guidelines for these clinical and research laboratories. Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP) are stepwise procedures aimed at strengthening the quality of test results produced by all clinical laboratories engaged in human sample analysis. In this article, we attempt a comparison of the GCLP guidelines recently issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research with the guidelines released by the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency. Also, we have included and discussed several suggestions that, if included, will lead to the strengthening of the laboratory practices used for both research and patient care for overall improvement in the Indian healthcare system