Frozen section is a procedure wherein a tissue specimen is snap-frozen, sliced by microtome, and stained immediately for rapid diagnosis of probable malignant lesions. This is a relatively crude procedure compared to paraffin-embedded sections, but is effective because it is rapid and gives the surgeon immediate consultation regarding the malignancy of a tissue. With frozen section there is a risk of misdiagnosing malignancy and under-staging or over-staging patients. As it is subject to many limitations in comparison to the block preparation, this review aims to highlight the important concepts regarding frozen section consultation, current trends, accuracy as well as the limitations of this technique.

Chondroid syringoma is a rare skin appendageal tumour of eccrine origin. Clinically it can be confused with other benign skin appendageal and mesenchymal tumours. Owing to rather nonspecific clinico-radiological features pathological examination is imperative prior to a decisive diagnosis. Fine needle aspiration cytology is a minimally invasive and cost effective diagnostic modality for the pre-operative characterisation of this unusual tumour. We present a case of a 22 years old female with a nodular swelling over her right forearm since 1 year. Fine needle aspiration cytology smears revealed characteristic morphological features of chondroid syringoma which was further confirmed on histopathology. There was no evidence of recurrence at 3 years follow-up.We intend to describe this case due to its rarity, unusual location and to increase awareness about the cytological features of the same.

Background: Storage of whole blood has deleterious effects on the biochemical parameters of RBCs. Aim: To study the changes in biochemical parameters in whole blood upon storage. Materials and Methods: 30 healthy donors were included in this study and effect of storing whole blood was studied on day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21. Results: Highly significant changes were noted in the levels of blood pH, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, aspartate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase. Conclusion: There are significant changes in the biochemical parameters during storage. The most significant change is the marked increase in potassium levels. In order to reduce the deleterious effects of stored blood in the recipient, it is advisable to check the clinical details of the patient. Care should be taken to issue fresh blood (not more than 7 days old) particularly to patients with renal disorders.

Meningiomas are common tumors of the central nervous system arising from arachnoid cells. Rarely, they may be extracranial also, known as ectopic meningiomas. Parotid masses are very commonly seen in clinical practice. However, ectopic meningioma presenting as a parotid mass is extremely rare. Cytology literature on ectopic meningiomas consists of case reports only. However, there is no report of ectopic meningioma presenting as a parotid mass being diagnosed on FNAC. The author reports a case of a 70-year-old female who presented with a swelling in the left parotid region since 3 months. It measured 4×3 cm. A clinical diagnosis of a parotid tumor was made. CT scan showed a mass involving the left parotid gland and extending via parapharyngeal space up to the base of the skull. A diagnosis of parotid tumor with extensive local spread was given. FNAC smears showed cells present in loosely cohesive clusters and syncytial fragments. At places whorling arrangement of cells was seen. The cells were oval to spindle shaped with elongated nuclei. Intranuclear inclusions were seen. Psamomma bodies were also observed. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of ectopic meningioma involving parotid gland was made. The diagnosis was confirmed on histopathological examination. The case is being reported because of its extreme rarity. The clinicians and pathologists should be aware that rarely ectopic meningioma can manifest as a parotid mass.

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Among the various types, invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC), not otherwise specified (NOS) is the most common type. This study was conducted to describe the clinico-pathological parameters of breast cancer, and to find a correlation between two of the prognostic parameters, i.e., Bloom Richardson (BR) grade and lymph node metastasis. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 100 cases. Routine clinical details and investigations of the patients were recorded, including age, TNM stage of tumour, etc. Further, the specimens were evaluated for the histological typing, histological grading, and status of lymph nodes. Also, statistical correlations were established between two of the prognostic parameters, i.e., BR grade and lymph node metastasis. Results: All the cases were NOS type of IDC. Majority of the cases belonged to pTNM stage III, followed by stage II. Maximum cases belonged to BR grade 2, followed by grade 3. Lymph node metastasis was present in 40% cases. A statistically significant correlation was seen between increasing BR grade and presence of lymph node metastasis in the tumour. Discussion and Conclusion: Majority of the cases in our study belong to high grade and stage. This is probably due to lack of awareness and late detection of breast carcinoma in Indian scenario. A statistically significant correlation was found between increasing BR grade and presence of lymph node metastasis in the tumour. Thus, these can be used along with other clinico-pathological parameters for prognostic and therapeutic planning in breast carcinoma cases.

Barrett’s esophagus is a complication caused by Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It is a premalignant condition with an increased risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma. The carcinogenic sequence may progress through several steps, from normal esophageal mucosa through Barrett’s esophagus (BE) to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). A recent advent of functional esophageal testing (particularly multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring) has helped to improve our knowledge about GERD pathophysiology, including its complications and its neoplastic progression. Over the last few decades, the incidence of EAC has continued to rise in Western populations. Thus, major efforts in clinical and research practice are focused on new methods for optimal risk assessment that can stratify BE patients at low or high risk of developing EAC. Furthermore, the area of BE therapeutic management is rapidly evolving. Endoscopic eradication therapies have been shown to be effective, and new therapeutic options for BE and EAC have emerged. The aim of the present review article is to highlight the pathophysiology, diagnosis and the current progress of BE therapy.Moreover, we discuss the new mucosal ablative techniques that can be used in the esophagus have emerged over the past two decades.