Amniotic band sequence (ABS) includes a wide spectrum of abnormalities resulting from entrapment of various fetal parts from a disrupted amnion, ranging from a mere constriction ring affecting a finger to a fatal form called limb body wall complex (LBWC). Reported cases of ABS with LBWC are very few. The spectrum of anomalies depends on which part gets entrapped and at what point of gestation. Hence, the clinical presentation can be extremely variable. Early detection of such cases using sonology is really challenging due to the small size of the fibrotic bands. Here, we present a case of amniotic band syndrome with LBWC in a fetus at 24 weeks of gestation, which was referred for an autopsy. The fetus also showed scoliosis, gastroschisis, lumbosacral meningocele, congenital talipes equinovarus, and cleft palate, thus having features of placenta cranial and placenta abdominal phenotype which is very rare.

Background: Cystic lesions of pancreas consist of a broad spectrum of reactive, benign and malignant conditions. The most common among cystic pancreatic lesions is pseudocyst of pancreas. Cystic tumours of pancreas are less common than solid one’s accounting for less than 1% according to some studies. Literature review showed only a few extensive studies on cystic lesions of pancreas, especially from South India.Methods: Our research is a descriptive histopathological analysis of 38 cases of cystic lesions of pancreas, done in the department of pathology of our institution, over a period of 5 years.Results: We received a total of 38 cases of cystic lesions of pancreas. The age distribution ranged from 17 to 77 years. Male to female ratio was 24: 14. There were neoplastic and non neoplastic entities. Pseudocyst of pancreas was the most common cystic lesion (12 cases). Benign neoplasms included serous cystadenomas, mucinous cystadenomas and lymphangiomas. Ductal adenocarcinomas with cystic degeneration and adenocarcinomas with mucinous component were some of the malignant cystic lesions.Conclusions: Cystic pancreatic lesions accounted for 24% of all the pancreatic lesions received in our institution during the period of this study. 24 cases (63%) were benign lesions and 14 cases (37 %) were malignant. Though cystic lesions of pancreas especially neoplasms are less frequent than solid neoplasms, it is important to study their diagnostic features since the management differs. Imaging studies may be similar in some cystic lesions. A proper clinicoradiological correlation and detailed investigational work up will aid in the correct diagnosis.

Background: Spindle cell lesions of breast comprise a rare group of complex entities which may be reactive, benign or malignant. Though definitive diagnosis is difficult especially in small biopsies, it is of utmost importance since the management differs. Precise knowledge of the lesions in this group, thorough sampling, clinic radiological correlation and ancillary techniques will aid in making the correct diagnosis. Review of literature showed only a few extensive studies on spindle cell lesions in breast, especially from South India.Methods: Our research is a descriptive histopathological analysis of 55 cases of spindle cell lesions of breast, done over a 2-year period from Jan 2015 to Dec 2016 in the Pathology department, of our institution.Results: A total of 55 cases were received. The reactive spindle cell proliferations were Diabetic mastopathy, Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia, and sclerosing adenosis. Benign phyllodes tumour, spindle cell lipoma and neurofibroma comprised the benign category. The malignant lesions included metaplastic carcinoma, malignant phyllodes tumour and sarcoma.Conclusions: Benign lesions constituted the majority (60%) in our study. Of these, benign phyllodes tumour constituted the majority, 41.8% of the total cases. The remaining 40% were malignant spindle cell neoplasms, of which metaplastic carcinoma was the single largest group accounting for 29.1%. Since reactive and benign spindle cell lesions may show atypia, definitive diagnosis should be made only after considering atypical mitotic figures, presence of necrosis and imaging findings. A wide excision with adequate margins is necessary in incision biopsies with suspicious findings.

Background: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death  in women worldwide. Breast carcinoma is currently managed by assessing clinicopathological features. Elucidation of molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of breast carcinoma  may lead to the development of new targeted therapies, particularly in triple negative cancers. Literature shows a few studies on the expression of calretinin  in breast carcinoma particularly in basal like type and its prognostic significance.  In this study, authors are trying  to assess the expression of  a new marker calretinin in different molecular subtypes of invasive carcinoma breast.Methods: This study was done in  107 cases of invasive carcinoma breast specimens received in  Department of Pathology, Government Medical college, Kottayam from December  2017 to May 2019.Results: Among the molecular subtypes, Basal like tumours showed 68.4% of cases with high level and 31.6% of cases with low level calretinin expression which is comparable with the study by Farrag et al. All the other molecular subgroups showed predominantly low level of calretinin expression.Conclusions: Different molecular subtypes of invasive carcinoma breast showed varied calretinin expression. High level calretinin expression was significantly associated with grade 3 (p value = 0.002), ER negativity (p = 0.004), PR negativity (p = 0.018)  and Basal like molecular subtype (p : <0.001). This suggests that calretinin might play a role in pathogenesis of basal like breast carcinomas.