Optic nerve pilomyxoid astrocytoma: Intraoperative squash smear cytology of a rare entity.

Pilomyxoid astrocytoma [PMA] is a rare, recently described variant of pilocytic astrocytoma with unique clinical and histopathological characteristics. It typically affects the optico-chiasmatic and hypothalamic region in infants and young children. Though the pilocytic astrocytoma is the commonest tumor of the optic nerve, pilomyxoid astrocytoma arising from the intraorbital part of the optic nerve is extremely rare.

Papillary meningioma: Diagnosis by intraoperative crush smear cytology.

Papillary meningioma is a rare, aggressive variant of meningioma. It accounts for less than 1% of all meningiomas. It is categorized as WHO grade III due to high rate of recurrence and metastasis.

Intraoperative crush smear cytology of vertebral chondroblastoma: A diagnostic challenge.

Chondroblastoma is a rare, cartilage producing primary neoplasm of the bone. Although generally benign, chondroblastoma is placed in the "intermediate, rarely metastasizing" category in the 2013 World Health Organization classification of bone tumors. It typically involves the epiphysis of long tubular bones and is exceptionally located in the vertebral column.

Gastric mucormycosis: Diagnosis by imprint cytology.

The fungi in the order of Mucorales commonly target diabetics and other immunocompromised hosts, producing fatal respiratory and or CNS infections. Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is uncommon and seldom diagnosed in living patients due to nonspecific clinical manifestations. We report a case of gastric mucormycosis in an immmunocompetent male patient, diagnosed by imprint cytology-a rare site and a rare setting.

Utility and challenges in intraoperative consultation of spinal lesions by crush smear cytology.

Background: Various methods are used for intraoperative consultation of spinal lesions. Crush smear cytology is one such method that is accurate, rapid, and allows preservation of tissue for paraffin-embedded sections.

Aims: To study the cytomorphology of various neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions involving and compressing the spinal cord.