Informatics applied to cytology.

Automation and emerging information technologies are being adopted by cytology laboratories to augment Pap test screening and improve diagnostic accuracy. As a result, informatics, the application of computers and information systems to information management, has become essential for the successful operation of the cytopathology laboratory. This review describes how laboratory information management systems can be used to achieve an automated and seamless workflow process.

Multicentric Castleman's disease masquerading as HIV-related lymphoma.

Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are at increased risk for developing lymphoproliferative disorders. Multicentric Castleman's disease should always be kept in the differential diagnosis of HIV-positive patients suspected of having lymphoma to avoid misdiagnosis. We report the case of a 40-year-old HIV-positive homosexual man who presented with lower back pain and features highly suggestive of lymphoma including lymphadenopathy, elevated lactic dehydrogenase, and splenomegaly.

Cholelithiasis of the ovary after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy may result in spilled bile and dropped gallstones. Although there are usually no consequences, occasionally this can lead to serious complications, including those requiring surgical procedures. Very few cases have been reported documenting the consequence of spilled biliary contents on or near the female genital tract.

Medical laboratory informatics.

Laboratory informatics is the application of computers and information systems to information management in the pathology laboratory. Effective information management is crucial to the success of pathologists and laboratorians. Informatics has become one of the key pillars of pathology, and the requirement for skilled informaticists in the laboratory has quickly grown.

Diagnostic accuracy of image-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy of the mediastinum.

Interpreting a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) from the mediastinum is challenging as this location may harbor many lesions, including primary and metastatic tumors. Image-guided transthoracic (percutaneous) FNAB is less invasive than mediastinoscopy or endoscopic-guided FNAB. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of FNAB performed percutaneously for evaluating mediastinal lesions.

Protein electrophoresis and immunoglobulin analysis in HIV-infected patients.

We studied the prevalence and nature of immunoglobulin abnormalities in HIV-1-infected patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Protein electrophoreses (PEP) were performed on and quantitative immunoglobulin levels obtained in samples from 320 consecutive HIV-1-infected patients. Samples with possible PEP abnormalities underwent immunofixation.

Glypican-3 immunocytochemistry in liver fine-needle aspirates : a novel stain to assist in the differentiation of benign and malignant liver lesions.

Background: Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a heparan sulfate proteoglycan which is elevated in the serum of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but not in healthy blood donors, or patients with benign liver disease. GPC3 immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a promising marker of HCC in surgical pathology. This study explores the value of GPC3 expression in liver fine-needle aspirates (FNAs) by immunocytochemistry (ICC), and compares its sensitivity and staining intensity with that of IHC.

Cytologic features of müllerian papilloma of the cervix: mimic of malignancy.

Müllerian papilloma is a rare benign tumor of the cervix and/or vagina that occurs predominantly in young children. The cytologic features of benign müllerian papilloma have never been described. We report for the first time, to our knowledge, the cytologic findings of a benign müllerian papilloma from the vaginal fluid specimen of a 15-mo-old girl using touch prep, ThinPrep, and cell block preparations.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome related Kaposi's sarcoma eroding the maxillary bone.

Background: Oral involvement is a common manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome related Kaposi's sarcoma, and it occurs in approximately one-third of afflicted patients.

Methods: We report an unusual case of Kaposi's sarcoma of the hard palate which invaded the underlying maxillary bone.

Results: The patient underwent excisional biopsy and was subsequently treated with localised radiation and systemic chemotherapy including liposomal doxorubicin.

HIV-associated intramammary lymphadenopathy.

The differential diagnosis of a breast mass in an HIV-infected patient is broad. We report a case of HIV-associated intramammary lymphadenopathy that manifested itself as a painful solitary breast mass best demonstrated by ultrasound imaging. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA), ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy, and subsequent excisional biopsy demonstrated an intramammary lymph node with reactive changes typical of acute HIV-associated lymphadenopathy.

Management of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.

The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has lead to a substantial reduction in the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality associated with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. Similarly, concomitant advances in chemotherapy and supportive-care protocols have allowed for Kaposi's sarcoma to be managed more effectively in comparison with the pre-HAART era. Furthermore, developments in our understanding of the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma have identified several molecular targets that can potentially provide new therapeutic strategies.