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Objectives: Fine-needle aspiration cytology is a useful diagnostic tool for soft-tissue lesions, which helps in further management of patient. Although, various soft-tissue lesions have preference for particular site of human body, yet usefulness/role of site in cytological diagnosis in the published literature is not very well highlighted. In this study, our aim was to analyze the location of soft-tissue lesions as encountered in cytology practice. Material and Methods: Details of soft-tissue lesions who underwent fine-needle aspiration in a period of 12 months were analyzed. Age, gender, and site of soft-tissue lesion were noted. All the soft-tissue cases were divided into two categories. Group 1 – soft-tissue lesions situated at elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand for upper extremities; and knee, lower leg, ankle, and foot for lower extremities. Group 2 – soft-tissue lesions occurring at other sites. Pearson’s Chi-square test and significance of difference between proportions were analyzed to assess the significance. Results: A total of 928 cases were reported over a period of 12 months. Soft-tissue lesions in Group 1 and Group 2 were 172 and 756 cases, respectively. All the soft-tissue lesions except ganglion cyst (GC) and giant cell tumor (GCT) of tendon sheath are more prevalent in Group 2. There was a statistically significant association (P < 0.001) between cytological diagnosis of soft-tissue lesion and site of lesion. The difference in occurrence of epidermal inclusion cyst, GC, and GCT of tendon sheath between Groups 1 and 2 was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: We found significant difference in occurrence of some of the soft-tissue lesion at distal extremity as compared to other location. This may be helpful in arriving at a proper cytological diagnosis.

Ano-rectal melanoma is extremely rare and has dismal prognosis when compared to cutaneous melanomas. It presents as ano-rectal mass and patients usually complain of passing blood in stools. Being, a highly aggressive neoplasm, widespread metastasis is common, which can be seen even at the time of diagnosis. Here, we present a case report of ano-rectal melanoma in a 40-year old male, who presented with complaints of anal growth since one month. Initially, a clinical diagnosis of rectal carcinoma was suspected. However, biopsy of the growth showed histomorphological features of melanoma, which were confirmed on immunohistochemistry.

Background: Quality control is an essential part of quality management in medical laboratory.Various methods are available for the analysis of laboratory quality control data, common ones are Levey Jennings chart and Westgard rules. Westgard multi-rules are a set of rules based on combination of criteria to decide whether an analytical run is acceptable or unacceptable. CUSUM uses the cumulative sum of deviations from a target, however, it is rarely used in current medical laboratory practice. We share our experience of using Westgard rules and CUSUM in the analysis of laboratory quality control data. Material and Methods:Internal quality control values of 2-year period was included in the present study. Data for platelet count values of normal level control material run on a fully automated haematology analyser(Sysmex XT-2000i) were analysed. A total of 1825 data points were obtained. The data was interpreted by Westgard rules as well as cumulative sum method. The out of control events was analysed.Results: There was 9 incidence of control value outside 3SD (Westgard Rule 13s) which was picked on Levey Jennings chart but missed by CUSUM method. There were 22 instances of shift in mean (bias) which were only picked by CUSUM method. Conclusion:CUSUM was more sensitive for detection of bias whereas random error was picked-up early by Westgard rules. In conclusion we recommend the use of more than one method for analysis of quality control data.