Liesegang rings in a dermoid cyst of the floor of the mouth. Report of a case with cytologic findings

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic, ring-shaped structures, referred to as Liesegang rings (LRs), have been identified in aspirates from many organs, usually in relation to cystic or inflammatory lesions, but never before in relation to a dermoid cyst. CASE: LRs were intermingled with squamous cells in aspirates from a cyst of the floor of the mouth. The patient, a 23-year-old man, presented with a sublingual mass that had recently grown. Histopathologic study showed a ruptured dermoid cyst with mural foci of granulomatous foreign body reaction mixed with numerous ringlike structures, LRs. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of LRs in a dermoid cyst. Pathologists should be aware of this association when diagnosing cystic lesions.     

Myxoid leiomyosarcoma of the uterus. Report of a case with cytologic findings

BACKGROUND: Myxoid leiomyosarcoma is a rare variant of uterine sarcoma, exhibiting malignant biologic behavior despite the absence of cytologic atypia and of significant mitotic activity. CASE: A 20-year-old female was referred with a cystic pelvic mass. At laparotomy, the tumor, weighed 2,200 g and originating in the left lateral uterine wall, was removed. Microscopic examination revealed well-differentiated smooth muscle cells without atypia and with a few mitotic figures in the copious myxoid matrix, suggesting myxoid leiomyosarcoma. Three years following laparotomy, an irregular mass around the uterus was noted on sonographic examination, suggesting local recurrence. Two years and six months later, the second operation was performed, and a locally recurrent, multicystic tumor weighing 3,500 g was excised. The histopathology was similar to that of the primary tumor. Cytologic findings on imprint material from the tumor revealed a few isolated or sheet like small cells consisting of spindle and polygonal cells with round and oval nuclei. Cytologic atypia was also minimal. CONCLUSION: Myxoid leiomyosarcoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of smooth muscle neoplasia.     

Ameloblastic fibroma. Report of a case with fine needle aspiration cytologic findings.

A case of ameloblastic fibroma of the jaw in an 18-year-old patient is presented. Fine needle aspiration cytologic smears showed two different types of cellular elements: a glandlike epithelial component, arranged in bidimensional, well-outlined clusters of basaloid cells with palisading of the columnar cells at the borders of those clusters, and a mesenchymal component that consisted of loosely arranged fusiform cells. These cytologic features appear to be sufficiently characteristic to suggest a diagnosis of ameloblastic fibroma by fine needle aspiration.     

Poroid hidradenoma. Report of a case with cytologic findings on fine needle aspiration.

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) can be used for establishing a diagnosis of cutaneous lesions, especially in cases with cyst formation. Poroid hidradenoma is eccrine neoplasm with both solid and cystic components. CASE: A 77-year-old female presented with a slightly elevated nodule in the skin on her left elbow. The tumor was well demarcated, 2.7 x 2.4 cm and soft, and overlying skin was slightly reddish. FNAC revealed two types of cell: one had abundant cytoplasm in which small to large, occasionally multinucleated nuclei with small but distinct nucleoli were evident. Chromatin was finely granular, and nuclear membrane was thin and almost smooth. Another type of cell had scanty cytoplasm and a round to oval nucleus with small but prominent nucleoli. Histologic diagnosis was poroid hidradenoma. CONCLUSION: FNAC can be useful for diagnosing intradermal cystic lesions before surgical resection.     

High cellular atypia in a pulmonary tumorlet. Report of a case with cytologic findings

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tumorlets are localized lesions of neuroendocrine cell proliferation, usually found in association with chronic pulmonary inflammation. Since they are mostly incidental histologic or radiologic discoveries, they have received little attention, and there have been no reports on their detailed cytology. We describe for the first time the cytologic features of a pulmonary tumorlet and discuss its differential diagnosis. CASE: An abnormal nodule in the right lung field was discovered on a regular checkup by chest roentgenogram in a 70-year-old, nonsmoking female. Intraoperative aspiration cytology demonstrated cohesive, spindle-shaped cells arranged in fascicles or singly. Since these cells showed nuclear atypia, such as hyperchromasia, a coarsely granular chromatin pattern and nuclear grooving, a nonepithelial malignant lesion was suspected and upper lobectomy performed. The final diagnosis was a pulmonary tumorlet on the basis of histologic examination of the resected material. CONCLUSION: This is the first cytologic report of a pulmonary tumorlet. In this case, differential diagnosis was made of a tumor consisting predominantly of spindle-shaped cells. Although cytologic findings included nuclear atypia, the lesion was not malignant.     

Columnar cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Report of a case with cytologic findings

BACKGROUND: The columnar and tall cell variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are uncommon variants and have generally been regarded as more aggressive forms in comparison to the more common classic papillary and follicular subtypes. Cytologic diagnosis of these rare variants is elusive since the characteristic nuclear features of the usual papillary thyroid carcinoma are very often absent or inconspicuous. We present a case of the columnar cell variant of PTC in a young woman that demonstrates the diagnostic challenge. CASE: A 24-year-old woman presented with a solitary, 3-cm mass in the left aspect of the thyroid. The aspirate consisted of a moderately cellular sampling of sheets, papillary clusters and microfollicles of cells with oval nuclei and uniform, finely granular chromatin. These cells were arranged in a peudostratified manner around well-defined fibrovascular cores. There were no intranuclear inclusions or well-defined nuclear grooves in the cells of the aspirate. There was also absence of colloid despite the presence of well-formed follicles. The resected thyroid revealed a columnar cell variant of PTC. CONCLUSION: The cytologic features of columnar cell-type PTC are at variance with those of classic PTC and are elusive in fine needle aspiration cytology. It is the lack of classic cytologic features of PTC that is distinctly apparent, yet it is the monomorphism of cells in the aspirate, their papillary configuration and their pseudostratification in well-formed fibrovascular cores that are the keys to the diagnosis. Immunohistochemical staining to rule out other thyroid neoplasms can be performed to aid in the diagnosis.     

Renal collecting duct carcinoma. Report of a case with cytologic findings on fine needle aspiration

BACKGROUND: Collecting duct carcinoma (CDC) of the kidney is a rare type of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) of collecting duct origin. Cytologic differentiation of CDC from conventional RCC is important because CDC has a poorer prognosis than the latter. CASE: A 60-year-old male incidentally demonstrated a left renal mass that was hypovascular by angiography. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) revealed numerous clusters of cells arranged in a tubular structure. The cells consisted of highly atypical cells having large nuclei with coarse or vesicular chromatin, prominent nucleoli and lacy or granular cytoplasm. Based on these findings, which were indicative of high grade RCC, he underwent left radical nephrectomy and lymphadenectomy. Histologic and immunohistochemical findings, including anti-high-molecular-weight cytokeratin (HMCK) antibody, confirmed the diagnosis of CDC. CONCLUSION: CDC should be added to the differential diagnosis when the result of cytologic examination of a renal mass is suggestive of high grade RCC. These features of FNA smears, together with HMCK immunohistochemistry, can be useful for the cytologic differential diagnosis of renal tumors.     

Neonatal juvenile xanthogranuloma. Report of a case with fine needle aspiration cytologic findings in a soft tissue mass

BACKGROUND: Juvenile xanthogranuloma is an infrequent, benign histiocytic lesion, the recognition and diagnosis of which by fine needle aspiration biopsy are important for ascertaining whether a case will have a benign course or spontaneous regression. CASE: A case of juvenile xanthogranuloma was located in the upper lip of a newborn male. CONCLUSION: Juvenile xanthogranuloma has characteristic cytologic features that may allow recognition in fine needle aspiration cytology smears.     

Malacoplakia of the pelvis. Report of a case with cytologic and ultrastructural findings obtained by fine needle aspiration.

Malacoplakia is a rare granulomatous, inflammatory disease usually diagnosed on a biopsy specimen. Only five cases have been diagnosed by FNA, most of them in the prostate. We report the cytologic and ultrastructural findings in fine needle aspirates of pelvic malacoplakia. The main characteristic of the smears was a richly inflammatory background with abundant, foamy histiocytes containing Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. The results indicate that fine needle aspiration is useful in diagnosing this disease, excluding a neoplastic process and performing follow-up.     

Choroid plexus papilloma. Report of a case with cytologic differential diagnosis.

The cytopathologic features of choroid plexus papilloma observed in the ventricular fluid of a 9-month-old boy are reported and compared with other pediatric central nervous system neoplasms. The cytologic features of choroid plexus papilloma are similar to those of normal choroid plexus and may be difficult to distinguish from those of a well-differentiated papillary ependymoma. However, the cell clusters are distinct from those associated with choroid plexus carcinoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumors.     

Adenoma malignum. Report of a case with cytologic and colposcopic findings and immunohistochemical staining with antimucin monoclonal antibody HIK-1083

BACKGROUND: Adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix was first described by Gusserow. We report here a case with cytologic, histologic and colposcopic findings and immunohistochemistry for HIK-1083. CASE: A 42-year-old female was noted to have a probable adenoma malignum due to the detection of atypical cells classified as V. On colposcopy, comma-shaped, atypical vessels spread over the entire cervical area. Histologic findings were characteristic of tumor invasion beyond the layer of cervical glandular ducts. Immunohistochemical detection of CEA was negative, but HIK-1083, which recognizes gastric glandular mucous cells, was positive. CONCLUSION: For a definitive diagnosis of adenoma malignum of the cervix, immunohistochemical examination for an appropriate marker, such as HIK-1083, should be added to the routine gynecologic examination, cytologic and histopathologic examination, and colposcopy.     

Primary giant cell tumor of soft tissue. Report of a case with fine needle aspiration cytologic and histologic findings

BACKGROUND: So-called primary giant cell tumor of soft tissue of low malignant potential is the rare soft tissue analogue of giant cell tumor of bone, occurring primarily in superficial soft tissue. To our knowledge, the cytologic findings in bulky giant cell tumor of deep soft tissue were described only once, and no further report on the subcutaneous giant cell tumor could be retrieved from the literature. CASE: A 58-year-old woman presented with a well-demarcated, 1.5-cm-diameter dermal tumor. Fine needle aspiration smears contained numerous osteoclastlike giant cells and mononuclear cells showing bland and vesicular nuclei. A small fragment of branching vasculature and 1 mitosis were found. Those cytologic findings were enough to suggest a diagnosis of giant cell tumor of soft tissue, confirmed as a deep dermal giant cell on surgical resection. CONCLUSION: Primary giant cell tumor of soft tissue of low malignant potential should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bland-looking giant cell-rich lesions. Awareness of its existence and knowledge of its cytologic features are important for a correct preoperative cytologic diagnosis.     

Scrape cytology of elastofibroma. Report of a case with diagnostic cytologic features.

BACKGROUND: Elastofibroma is a benign, soft tissue tumor that occurs most frequently in the subscapular area in elderly people. To the best of our knowledge, in only two cases has the cytology been reported. The aim of this report is to describe the characteristic cytologic findings of elastofibroma and to discuss the usefulness of elastin stain in scrape smears. CASE: A 72-year-old female had bilateral masses in the lower subscapular area. Scrape smears from a cut surface of the resected masses revealed abundant, "wormlike" or "braidlike" material with central cores with Papanicolaou stain in an intraoperative consultation. Various-sized, petaloid or crystalloid globules were also present. Those elastic fibers were strongly positive for elastin stain in cytologic preparations. CONCLUSION: Elastofibroma can be diagnosed cytologically, and elastin-stained, scrape cytologic preparation is especially useful in such a case.     

Measles cervicitis. Report of a case with cytologic and molecular biologic analysis.

We report on a 20-year-old woman who, in her third month of pregnancy, presented with a morbilliform rash, fever and diarrhea. Many multinucleate superficial, intermediate and metaplastic cells were noted in the cervical cytologic preparation. The presence of the measles virus in cells from the cervix was confirmed by the amplification of measles complementary DNA (cDNA) by the polymerase chain reaction. The patient's cervical Papanicolaou smear was unremarkable on reexamination four months after the onset of the disease. To our knowledge, this is the first verified reported case of infection of the uterine cervix by the measles virus.     

Peritoneal endometriosis. Report of a case with cytologic, cytochemical and histopathologic study

The cytologic and histochemical data in a case of extensive peritoneal endometriosis are presented. The presence of macrophages heavily laden with blue and dark pigment (as demonstrated by May-Grünwald-Giemsa, Perls and Fontana stains) and scattered non-neoplastic endometrial cells in hemorrhagic ascitic fluid indicated a diagnosis of peritoneal endometriosis. Metabolized hemoglobin material was related to both recent and older hemorrhages.     

Pulmonary oncocytoma. Report of a case with cytologic, histologic and electron microscopic study

The cytology of a pulmonary oncocytoma diagnosed by bronchial brushings is described along with the light and electron microscopic findings. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells showed mitochondrial hyperplasia and an absence of neurosecretory granules. The possible histogenesis of pulmonary oncocytomas is discussed.     

Solitary fibrous tumor of the spinal cord. Report of a case with scrape cytology.

BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumor is a rare spindle cell tumor and has been forced at a variety of sites. To the best of our knowledge, only two cases of solitary fibrous tumor arising in the spinal cord have been reported; no cytologic findings were documented. CASE: A 62-year-old male presented with a spinal cord tumor. A scrape smear of the resected tumor revealed naked, spindle-shaped nuclei. Some nuclei were twisted or had long spindles. In the background, abundant, thin and thick collagen fibers were present. Immunohistochemically, the spindle cells were positive for CD34 and negative for S-100 protein and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Histologic diagnosis of the tumor was benign solitary fibrous tumor. CONCLUSION: Our case indicates that solitary fibrous tumor can occur in the spinal cord and should be differentiated from other benign spindle cell tumors, such as meningioma and schwannoma. The key cytologic features of solitary fibrous tumor may be the presence of abundant thin and thick collagen fibers in scrape specimens.     

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver. Report of the fine needle aspiration cytologic findings in a case initially misdiagnosed as malignant

The fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic features are described in a case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver (xanthogranuloma), a disease generally regarded as of unknown etiology. The initial FNA findings were those of an acute exudative process, with atypical biliary duct epithelium and hepatocytes. These were interpreted as verifying the radiologic impression of a malignancy. Histologic study of subsequently resected nodules revealed the true nature of the case. As the lesion evolved, granulomatous inflammation supervened, characterized by numerous foamy histiocytes and lesser populations of plasma cells and lymphocytes. Numerous gram-positive cocci were readily demonstrated, suggesting that the lesion was an unusual tissue response to an intrahepatic bacterial infection. The lesion eventually resolved with prolonged antibiotic therapy.     

Hemangiopericytoma in a male breast. Report of a case with cytologic, histologic and immunochemical studies

A hemangiopericytoma in a male breast was studied by fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. The FNA smears contained tissue clumps showing knob-like formations of atypical cells, spindle-shaped cells and fragments of capillaries lined by normal endothelial cells. Immunocytochemical study showed a positive reaction for vimentin, but a negative reaction for desmin and keratin. Staining for Factor VIII was positive only in the capillaries and endothelial cells. The cytodiagnosis was "mesenchymal tumor." Histopathologic study of the mastectomy specimen made the final diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma. While FNA cytology and immunocytochemistry cannot make a definitive diagnosis of this rare vascular tumor, they can be decisive in planning the surgical treatment, as in the present case.