HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION AND ENDOSCOPIC CORRELATION OF COLONOSCOPIC BIOPSIES IN RURAL NORTH INDIA

Colonoscopy provides information on the natural history and complications of many lesions. Biopsy forceps provide the opportunity to obtain multiple samples for evaluating the pathogenesis of the disease. Pathologist plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of patients with colitis. It is further made use of for GI cancers that are amongst the commonest malignancies worldwide. This prospective study of 300 cases included colonoscopic biopsies received in the department of pathology. We found out of 300 cases, 237 were non-neoplastic, 12 cases were benign and 51 were neoplastic. Out of the non-neoplastic cases, maximum was ulcerative colitis (UC); followed by acute colitis and chronic colitis. The benign lesions included tubular adenoma and tubulo-villous adenoma. Amongst the malignant ones, moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas predominated. On endoscopic histopathological correlation, non neoplastic lesions, benign and malignant lesions correlated 71%, 100% and 88% respectively. Conclusion of the study advocated that comprehensive histopathological study of the colonoscopic biopsy specimens should be done in constant correlation with the clinical and colonoscopic procedures for follow up of inflammatory diseases like UC and CD as well as early recognition of carcinomas.

Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica—Clinical, Radiological, and Endoscopic Correlation: Case Series and Literature Review

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare idiopathic and benign disease that is often underdiagnosed. TO is characterized by multiple submucosal cartilaginous and osseous tracheobronchial nodules that spare the posterior wall. It usually affects the elderly, developing when the person is around 60 years old without gender preference and has a reported incidence of 0.11%. TO can be symptomatic and should be considered in patients with chronic cough, dyspnea, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Diagnosis is usually incidental by computed tomography or bronchoscopy, the latter being the gold standard diagnostic test for TO. Many thoracic imagers are not well acquainted with TO; thus, these patients are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. We came across 5 patients in our institution who were incidentally diagnosed with TO, inspiring us to review the available literature on this disease. A total of 33 patients diagnosed with TO between 2009 and 2019 were identified by our retrospective review. Clinical and imaging data were collected on these patients. We also included the clinical, radiological, and endoscopic data of our 5 cases. TO should be considered in patients with chronic cough, dyspnea, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Our experience is that both computed tomography and bronchoscopy can be used to make a reliable diagnosis. It is crucial for physicians, especially radiologists and pulmonologists, to be aware of the existence of TO in order to ensure proper diagnosis.