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.