Histopathological study of cutaneous and soft tissue fungal infections

Background: The spectrum of fungal infection is varied ranging from cutaneous to invasive infections. In most instances it is asymptomatic and localized. In immunocompromised individuals it can be invasive, involving the visceral organs and can become symptomatic. The objective was to study and document the spectrum of fungal lesions histopathologically diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, SMVMCH, India.Methods: Cases for a period of 7 years spanning from January 2007- December 2013 were taken for this study. The diagnosis was based on the hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) stained sections and special stains like periodic acid schiff (PAS) and Gomori’s methenamine-silver (GMS) were used to identify the fungal elements.Results: A total number of 10 cases were positive for fungal infection. All were found in the skin, mucous membrane and soft tissue location. Among these, 3 were Maduromycosis, 3 were phaeohyphomycosis, 2 were dermatophytosis and 1 case each of aspergillosis and chromoblastomycosis were seen. All patients had localized infection and there was no evidence of immunocompromised status. No invasive fungal lesion was found over the 7 year period of study.Conclusions: H&E stain is helpful for identification of fungal elements and tissue reaction, since most of these cases (7 of 10 cases) presented with pigmented fungi. Histopathology is mandatory for ensuring diagnosis and for further management since these patients clinically present as asymptomatic soft tissue lesions.

Histopathological study of cutaneous and soft tissue fungal infections

Background: The spectrum of fungal infection is varied ranging from cutaneous to invasive infections. In most instances it is asymptomatic and localized. In immunocompromised individuals it can be invasive, involving the visceral organs and can become symptomatic. The objective was to study and document the spectrum of fungal lesions histopathologically diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, SMVMCH, India.Methods: Cases for a period of 7 years spanning from January 2007- December 2013 were taken for this study. The diagnosis was based on the hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) stained sections and special stains like periodic acid schiff (PAS) and Gomori’s methenamine-silver (GMS) were used to identify the fungal elements.Results: A total number of 10 cases were positive for fungal infection. All were found in the skin, mucous membrane and soft tissue location. Among these, 3 were Maduromycosis, 3 were phaeohyphomycosis, 2 were dermatophytosis and 1 case each of aspergillosis and chromoblastomycosis were seen. All patients had localized infection and there was no evidence of immunocompromised status. No invasive fungal lesion was found over the 7 year period of study.Conclusions: H&E stain is helpful for identification of fungal elements and tissue reaction, since most of these cases (7 of 10 cases) presented with pigmented fungi. Histopathology is mandatory for ensuring diagnosis and for further management since these patients clinically present as asymptomatic soft tissue lesions.

Clinicopathological features of Adult Granulosa Cell Tumour of Ovary- A Case Series of 14 Cases

Adult Granulosa Cell Tumour (AGCT) is the most common sex cord stromal tumour of ovaries. These tumours in comparison with epithelial tumours are of low-grade malignant potential and have low recurrence rate after surgical procedure. In this case series, a retrospective search for ovarian AGCT cases from January 2016 till January 2021 was done. A total of 14 cases were included. Parameters studied in this case series were age, laterality, gross, architectural pattern, call Exner bodies, nuclear grooves, necrosis, mitotic count and tumour staging. After studying all the cases, it was reported that mean age of presentation was 44 years (range 21-64 years), unilateral with right-sided dominance (71.4%), grossly 78.5% of the cases were solid cystic with haemorrhagic area, with mean tumour size of 9 cm, 57.1% cases had call Exner bodies, and all the cases showed nuclear groves. Most of the cases, 85.7% presented with low mitotic count of <4/10 High Power Field (HPF). Rare presentation of endometroid carcinoma-endometrium World Health Organisation (WHO) Female Genital Tract (FGT) fifth edition), and mature teratoma of contralateral ovary presented in one case each. This case series outlines characteristic histomorphological feature, frequent presentation at lower stage, and low mitotic count, these characteristic features act as prognostic marker for recurrence prediction