Spectrum of vulvar lesions: patient’s anxiety, clinician’s concern and pathologist’s diagnostic challenge

Background: A wide variety of inflammatory, premalignant and malignant lesions can occur on the vulva. Some of the lesions are limited to the vulva, while some also involve other parts of the body. Although vulvar diseases can cause a significant issue in the patients, they are less commonly discussed than those of cervix, uterus and ovary. Most of the asymptomatic lesions remain un-noticed, and are seen during routine gynecological checkups. Common complaints in symptomatic lesions are lumps, discomfort, itching and pain. Since the symptoms are nonspecific; determining the location of the lesion can assist with the diagnosis. Being a genital part with skin covering on outer aspect and mucosal lining inside, it is associated with various dermatological, nutritional, and hormonal as well as sexually transmitted diseases. The present study thus was conducted to categorize vulvar lesions based on their histological diagnosis and also to study the morphological spectrum of precursor lesions for malignancy.Methods: Present study includes all types of vulvar lesions sent for pathological study in the Department of pathology, at GMC Nagpur over the period of one year.Results: Total 34 lesions were studied including a wide diagnostic range from inflammatory, dermatological to benign, premalignant and malignant. Inflammatory lesions including various infections and LSA (Lichen sclerosus atrophicus) were the most commonly seen lesions along with collection of neoplastic lesions.Conclusions: Proper diagnostic categorization of the lesions is essential for initiating therapy and reducing patient’s anxiety. Morphology of these lesions along with their diagnostic significance is discussed

Fetus acardius amorphous: a rare case report

Fetus acardius amorphous is a rare fetal malformation, lacking a functional heart and bearing no resemblance to human embryos. The main differential diagnosis is with placental teratoma and is based on the degree of skeletal organization and umbilical cord formation. A 27-year old woman delivered a healthy newborn at 36 weeks gestation. An oval well defined mass, covered with normal looking skin, was connected to the placenta with a thin walled vessel. X-ray examination of the mass revealed the presence of vertebral column. Histopathologic examination demonstrated the presence admixture of tissues including neural tissue, osteoid, cartilage, muscle, fat etc. beneath the skin. The rarity of fetal monsters without a functioning heart is emphasized

Report of a case of primary breast lymphoma highlighting the importance of fine needle aspiration cytology as an initial diagnostic tool

Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of breast is a rare pathology, representing 0.5% of malignant breast tumors. We report a case of 52 year old female presenting with a large painful mass in left breast with ipsilateral axillary lymph node diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology as non-Hodgkin′s lymphoma. Breast lymphoma should be differentiated from other breast malignancies because of the differences in their treatment modalities. When breast lymphoma presents as a lump with axillary node, it clinically mimics breast carcinoma. Ultrasonogram and mammogram shows no characteristic features that can distinguish it from other breast malignancy. In such cases, FNAC becomes an important diagnostic tool that can differentiate PBL from other breast malignancy and avoid unnecessary surgery