Smear cytology in the intra-operative assessment of periodontoid pseudotumour of the craniocervical junction

OBJECTIVE: Periodontoid pseudotumours are lesions of presumed degenerative aetiology which typically occur in elderly patients with cervical myelopathy. The clinical and radiological differential diagnosis includes neoplastic and inflammatory lesions, and the exclusion of such lesions may be of value in the intra-operative management of the patient. This audit aimed to examine the value of intra-operative smear cytology in the management of this condition. METHODS: The intra-operative smear cytological features of four cases of periodontoid pseudotumour were reviewed. RESULTS: In each case the intra-operative cytological interpretation was in keeping with a non-neoplastic and non-inflammatory process. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that intra-operative smear cytology can provide information on the value in the intra-operative management of patients with this lesion.