No abstract

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) are non-phagocytic, non-lymphoid cells of immune system, which are necessary for antigen presentation and regulation of the reactions in the germinal centers of lymph node. Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is unusual and those with an extranodal origin in the head and neck region are extremely rare. Here, we report a case of FDCS of the left tonsil in a 27-year-old male patient. The patient presented with swelling of the left tonsil and resultant difficulty in swallowing for last three months. The tumor was excised and was sent for histopathologic examination. Microscopic examination and immunohistochemical analysis proved the case to be FDCS. After the diagnosis, the patient received post-operative radiotherapy. The patient is on six months follow-up which is uneventful.

Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare malignant odontogenic tumor and is considered as the malignant counterpart of ameloblastoma with features of both benign and malignant histology. It may arise de novo or from a long-standing ameloblastoma and is locally aggressive with a propensity for metastasis. With limited documentation, little is known about its pathobiogenesis, with no universal guidelines for management. For clinicians, differentiating ameloblastic carcinoma from ameloblastoma and malignant ameloblastoma in a patient presenting with a suspicious jaw tumor is a challenge due to overlapping clinical features, inconclusive cytology/biopsy reports, different management approaches and inadequate follow-up. Proper knowledge of the disease entity and a high index of suspicion are essential. Here we elaborate the dilemmas in diagnosis and management of ameloblastic carcinoma through presentation of a representative case in a 56-year-old man presenting with a tumor in the mandible.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) of bone is a rare neoplasm that shares many confusing cytomorphological and immunohistochemical features with plasmablastic plasma cell myeloma (PBPCM). A 47-year-old female patient presented with a bony swelling and bone pain in the left humerus for the last 6 months. On radiological examination (x-ray and computed tomography) it appeared to be a lytic lesion, and a pathological fracture was detected. The patient was HIV-negative. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was done from the lesion, which was inconclusive. Subsequently, incisional biopsy was taken. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed a high-grade plasmablastic neoplasm, favoring a diagnosis of PBL. Most of the reported cases of PBL have occurred in HIV-positive patients, and the bone is a very rare site. PBL can be confused with PBPCM. A final diagnosis should be rendered only after thorough histopathological and immunohistochemical examination.

Azathioprine is an immunomodulator commonly used in renal transplant recipients and to treat lupus erythematous, and inflammatory bowel disease, and as second-line therapy in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. Here, we present a case of non-segmental vitiligo treated with low-dose azathioprine developing life-threatening pancytopenia with febrile neutropenia and trephine biopsy-proven drug-induced myelosuppression. The patient needed broad-spectrum antibiotics and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support with intermittent transfusion of blood products to completely recover from myelosuppression. It took almost a month for the patient to completely recover from the cytotoxicity caused by azathioprine. Interestingly, the patient had normal thiopurine methyl transferase (TPMT) activity and wild-type TPMT allele. We tried to outline how these types of patients can be managed and to emphasize the need for continuous monitoring of blood counts in patients receiving azathioprine to prevent life-threatening cytopenia even with normal TPMT activity and wild-type TPMT allele.