Objective: Fixation in cytology is to preserve and maintain clear and consistent morphological features. Ethanol is most commonly used a gold standard fixative in cytology, but it has few disadvantages such as expensive, flammable, evaporates easily, subjected to pilferage and not easily available. So honey can be used as fixative as it contains several minerals, trace elements, vitamins, carbohydrates and acts as a fixative because of its inherent properties by enabling cellular preservation and dehydration. Considering this objective of present study is to evaluate the fixative properties of honey in comparison with ethanol in a double blinded manner. Materials and Methods: Two oral smears were obtained from each individual (n=50) by gently scraping the buccal mucosa. One slide was fixed in ethanol (95%) and the other in honey (20% processed) for a minimum of 15 minutes and stained with Papanicolaou stain. Two separate pathologists who were blinded for the fixative used evaluated the slides for 5 parameters (Cell morphology, Nuclear and Cytoplasmic staining, Clarity and uniformity of staining,) Results: Among 50 cases evaluated by both pathologists, results showed that honey fixed smears had acceptable nuclear and cytoplasmic staining, well preserved cell morphology, clarity and uniformity of staining as comparable to ethanol with no statistical difference between both fixatives. Conclusion: Hence in search of a better, eco-friendly and cost effective fixative, 20% processed honey can be efficiently used in cytological smear fixation for the preservation of cellular details.

Background: The nuclear grading of breast carcinoma is well established on histopathology, but not in cytology. There is no single standardised grading system yet in cytology for predicting breast carcinoma prognosis in spite of various cytological grading systems. Aim:The study was performed with an aim of evaluating various cytological grading systems on needle aspirates of breast carcinoma and to determine the best possible cytological grading system that correlates with the Nottingham modification of Scarf Bloom Richardson(SBR) histologicalgrading. Materials & Methods:The study consisted of 30 cases of infiltrating ductal carcinoma diagnosed on cytology for which the corresponding histopathology was available.These cases were graded cytologically by eight grading systems and histologically by SBR method.The various cytological grading systems were evaluated for concordance, association, and correlation with the histopathological grading to select best possible cytological grading system. The various grading systems were also evaluated for interobserver reproducibility Results: A positive correlation was noted between the various grading systems on cytology with SBR method on histopathology. A strong correlation (r =0.925), maximum percent agreement (93.3%), and a substantial kappa value of agreement (k = 0.885) was noted for Robinson's grading with the Nottingham modification of SBR grading system. It also showed betterinterobserver agreement (93.3%; k = 0.889). Conclusion:The various cytological grading systems evaluated in this study showed a positive correlation with SBR method. Among them, Robinson's grading showed best concordance, correlation with histological grade and hence, may be included in the routine cytology reports.

Steroid cell tumors of the ovary are extremely rare, accounting for only 0.1% of all ovarian tumors. Most steroid cell tumors secrete steroid hormones, and only about 10%–15% of patients are asymptomatic. The clinical presentation may take many forms, including abdominal pain, distention, irregular menstrual cycles, and hirsutism. Here, we present a case of a 60-year-old postmenopausal patient who presented with complaints of bleeding per vagina and abdominal pain for 4 months. Ultrasonography (USG) revealed a hypoechoic left adnexal mass measuring 65 mm × 40 mm × 30 mm. Based on these USG findings, the diagnosis of cystic lesion of the left ovary was made. Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was done, and the specimen was sent for histopathological analysis. On histopathology, diagnosis of steroid cell tumor-not otherwise specified was offered. This case is reported due to its rarity and its unusual presentation, together with a brief review of the literature of the same.

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