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Background:Cysticercosis, a parasitic tissue infection caused by the larva of Taenia solium, is quite a common disease in our part of the world, but its incidence is often underestimated. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) plays an important role in early detection of this disease, especially when the lesion is located in anatomically approachable superficial locations.Aims:The aim was to study role of FNAC in the diagnosis of cysticercosis.Materials and Methods:In this retrospective study, the data of 137 patients with palpable nodules, who were diagnosed as having or suspicious of cysticercosis on FNAC, were retrieved and analyzed.Results:In 129 (94.2%) cases, a definitive diagnosis of cysticercosis was obtained in the form of parts of parasite tegument, hooklets, parenchymatous portion and calcareous corpuscles. In the background, giant cells, mixed inflammatory cells, and epithelioid cells were present. In remaining 8 (5.8%) cases, larval fragments could not be identified on the aspirates, and the diagnosis of parasitic inflammation was suggested on the basis of other cytological findings such as clear fluid aspirate, presence of eosinophils, histiocytes, foreign body giant cells, a typical granular dirty background, etc. Follow-up biopsy in these 8 cases confirmed the diagnosis of cysticercosis in 7 (87.5%) while in 1 (12.5%) case, histopathology was suggestive of parasitic cyst.Conclusion:Fine-needle aspiration cytology in cysticercosis is a low-cost outpatient procedure. The cytological diagnosis is quite straightforward in cases where the actual parasite structures are identified in the smears. In other cases, a cytological diagnosis of suspicious of cysticercosis can be given if the cytological findings suggest the same.

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Echinococcosis, commonly called as hydatid disease, is a parasitic infestation caused by the larva of the genus Echinococcus in human. Isolated occurrence of Echinococcosis without any evidence of visceral disease is very rare. A thorough search of the literature revealed only 11 cases of isolated cervical Echinococcosis. We report here a very rare case of isolated hydatid cyst in a 45-year-old female patient, who presented with swelling in right cervical region about 5 cm below the angle of mandible with no evidence of the disease elsewhere in the body. The case was diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology. The diagnosis was further supported by histopathology. We propose that the treating physician should also consider the differential diagnosis of Echinococcosis in the presence of an asymptomatic soft tissue mass, especially when the patient lives in an endemic area.

Cysticercosis of the tongue is a rare disease caused by infestation with the larval stage of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) in which man acts as a secondary host rather than a primary host. Most of these lesions are asymptomatic. The patient usually reports to the physician with the complaint of swelling. The solitary swelling in the tongue of this young 12-year-old girl was not suspected clinically for cysticercosis. Fine needle aspiration cytology, used for pre-operative diagnosis, suggested the possibility of cysticercosis. Detailed medical evaluation was carried out which ruled out neural cysticercosis and other extraneural lesions. The complete removal of the lesion was achieved by simple excision. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lingual cysticercosis.

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Introduction: Quality Indicators (QI) are parameters defined by Quality Management System (QMS) in a laboratory to assess and monitor quality of results generated. A regular and periodic review of these QI also help improves the quality of laboratory results. These QI are often under-utilised or less commonly followed-up in histopathology laboratory/Surgical Pathology. Aim: This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate QI and their role in improving the quality in histopathology. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in histopathology laboratory of a Tertiary Care Hospital and Teaching Institute located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India from January, 2016 to June, 2018. A set of nine QI were evaluated biannually and the data was analysed using ANOVA test followed by Post-hoc Tukey’s test. Results: During the study period, number of unacceptable samples (QI-1) was zero. Number of errors at registration and/or accession (QI-2) was five (0.05% with respect to total number of specimens). Completeness of equipment (QI-3) and performance in External Quality Assurance Programs (EQAP) (QI-4) were satisfactory throughout. Number of amended reports (QI-5) were three (0.03%). There were two (0.02%) complaints/negative feedbacks from users (QI-7). QI-8 (laboratory safety and environment) and QI-9 (effectiveness of document control system) were maintained during the study period. Turn Around Time (TAT) (QI-6) as a QI which was deranged mostly (4.5%). Reasons for delayed TAT were further analysed. It was found that pre-analytical factors were the common and statistically significant reasons behind the delayed TAT as compared to analytical and post-analytical ones. Root cause analysis and future preventive actions were undertaken accordingly to improve the quality. Conclusion: Periodical review of QI helps in understanding the flaws in the analytic cycle and appropriate actions undertaken accordingly helps in improving the quality in histopathology.