Fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of cysticercosis presenting as palpable nodules

The cytologic findings in the fine-needle aspirate of 30 cases of cysticercosis presenting as palpable nodules are described. Essential for a diagnosis are identification of parasitic fragments. These include bluish fibrillary structures sometimes with honeycombing, tegument of parasite thrown into rounded wavy folds, and scolex with hooklets and hyaline membrane surrounding it. The inflammatory reaction consisted of eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, histiocytes, epithelioid cells, and giant cells in varying proportions.     

Fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal lesions: Review of experience in the pediatric age group

Review of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) smears from 121 pediatric patients with intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal lesions revealed 42 (34.7%) cases of neoplasms, 35 (28.9%) cases of tuberculosis, 12 (9,9%) cases of non-tuberculous inflammations, 4 (3.3%) cases of benign cystic lesions, and 28 (23.1%) inadequate/inconclusive cases. The age of the patients ranged from 20 days to 18 yr. Ultrasound and/or CT study done in 105 cases localized the lesions in following common sites: lungs (19 cases), mediastinum (22 cases), liver (14 cases), intestines (11 cases), and lymph nodes (17 cases). The neoplastic lesions consisted of 39 malignant, one suspicious, and two benign neoplasms. Among the neoplasms, the small round cell tumors were the most frequent (27 cases), followed by germ cell tumors (eight cases) and miscellaneous neoplasms (seven cases). The common small round cell tumors were non-Hodgkins lymphoma (eight cases), hepatoblastoma (seven cases), neuroblastoma (five cases), and nephroblastoma (three cases). A combined clinical, imaging, and FNA cytology approach was found to be useful in arriving at a tissue diagnosis.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of malignant lymphoma of the thyroid

Our experience with fine-needle aspiration cytology in five cases of malignant lymphoma of the thyroid is reported. Only one case was correctly diagnosed as malignant lymphoma from the original cytologic reports. Three cases were misdiagnosed as anaplastic carcinoma of small-cell type and two of these three cases were subsequently revised as malignant lymphoma after a second aspiration. The final case was misdiagnosed as chronic thyroiditis at both the first and second aspirations; following a third aspiration, 8 mo later, it was correctly diagnosed as malignant lymphoma. Cytological findings of malignant lymphoma are as follows: many malignant cells are distributed as isolated cells and show monotonous features. Malignant cells are slightly larger than normal lymphocytes. Sometimes cleaved cells or large nucleoli are visible. The differential diagnosis of cytologic findings of malignant lymphoma and the other thyroid diseases is discussed in detail.     

Metastatic neoplasms of the breast: Fine-needle aspiration cytology of two cases

Even when clinical data strongly suggest the presence of a metastatic neoplasm in the breast, this occurrence almost invariably raises great problems in diagnostic pathology. Both cases presented here had a well-recognized primitive neoplasm located elsewhere. Nonetheless, great importance was given to the application of ancillary techniques; the immunostains for “breast discriminants”—GCDFP15, HMFG1, and HMFG2—on tissue sections helped the recognition of a metastatic renal cell carcinoma; and the stains for S100 protein, smooth muscle actin, cytokeratins, and neurofilaments on cytologic material allowed the identification of a metastatic mediastinal leiomyosarcoma. Diagn Cytopathol 1996;15:139–143. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of metastatic neoplasms in the breast

Twenty cases of metastatic neoplasms in the breast were identified in a series of 1,034 fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) of the breast, of which 389 were malignant. Patients with breast carcinomas in whom metastasis to the contralateral breast developed were excluded from this study. This series consisted of 17 women and 3 men, ranging in age from 28 to 63 years (mean, 49 years). The tumors included oat cell carcinoma (three), melanoma (three), ovarian serous carcinoma (one), bronchogenic adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma (four and two, respectively), lymphoma (two), carcinoid (two), transitional cell carcinoma (one), plasma cell myeloma (one), and rhabdomyosarcoma (one). In two patients, the breast mass was the first manifestation of an extramammary cancer (two adenocarcinoma of the lung). Eleven patients died of disseminated cancer shortly after the breast metastasis was diagnosed. In most cases, the aspirates displayed the cytologic features characteristic of the primary tumors, thereby establishing the metastatic nature of the neoplasm. In four cases (two carcinoids, one myeloma, and one rhabdomyosarcoma), the cytologic features were difficult to differentiate from a primary breast carcinoma; however, the final diagnosis was established by electron microscopic examination and immunocytochemical studies on the aspirates. One case (adenocarcinoma of the lung) was misdiagnosed as primary breast carcinoma on both FNA and mastectomy specimen. Because metastatic neoplasms in the breast may mimic primary breast tumors, the authors recommend the following: (1) Evaluation of FNA of breast should be done with complete knowledge of the patient's clinical history. (2) The possibility of metastasis should be suspected in lesions with unusual cytologic patterns. (3) Ancillary studies on FNA can be helpful in interpreting selected cases.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology in fibromatoses.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology was performed in seven cases of fibromatosis of variable types with tumorous clinical presentation. These included: four cases of musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis, two in posterior neck muscles, one in anterior neck muscles and one in intercostal muscles; one case of fibromatosis of the breast; and two cases of fibromatosis colli in neonates. In all cases the specimens contained connective tissue with many fibroblast-like cells, lacking features which could indicate a malignant lesion. The findings in these cases indicate that, although by FNA cytology in fibromatoses a specific diagnosis for each pathologic entity may not be easily reached, in the proper clinical setting the cytologic findings can be of sufficient relevance to offset the need for an open tissue biopsy, where there are valid reasons against a surgical intervention.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of tuberculosis

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of lymph nodes and extranodal swellings in 160 cases showed granulomatous reaction with or without caseation necrosis in 83%. The material was acellular or predominantly composed of necrotic material, polymorphs, and lymphocytes in 17%. The age of the patient ranged from 1.5 to 72 yr. The male to female ratio was 1:1.3. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) could be demonstrated in 40.6% of cases. In cases associated with cellular reaction and necrosis. AFB positivity was 50.0%, while it was 66.7% in cases with acellular necrotic material.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of extramammary neoplasms metastatic to the breast

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is the first-line investigation in any breast lump and hence cytomorphological recognition of nonmammary metastatic tumors to the breast and their distinction from primary tumors is important.Metastatic breast neoplasms diagnosed over a 6-yr period from 1997 to 2002 were retrieved from the database of the Department of Cytopathology and the clinical, cytopathological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical findings were correlated with the histopathology of the primary tumor.Fifteen cases of metastatic breast neoplasms were encountered constituting 1.47% of all malignant tumors of the breast diagnosed on FNA. There were 14 female patients and one male patient aged 13-80 yr. The preaspiration clinical diagnosis was either a benign breast lump or a malignancy (primary vs. metastatic). The breast lump was the initial presentation in four cases and the cytodiagnosis of a metastatic malignancy lead to the subsequent detection of the primary malignancy. These included one case each of melanoma, myeloma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and small-cell carcinoma of the lung. There were five pediatric cases that included four cases of rhabdomyosarcoma and one case of leukemic deposit. The adult cases included two cases each of melanoma, small-cell carcinoma, and myeloma; one case of choriocarcinoma; and three cases of soft-tissue sarcomas. These included two cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) and one case of leiomyosarcoma.The presence of unusual cytomorphological patterns on breast FNA should alert the cytopathologist to the possibility of a metastatic breast neoplasm, even if not suspected clinically. A detailed history of the patient, clinical correlation, and immunocytochemistry helps in establishing an accurate diagnosis, which avoids unnecessary surgery and ensures appropriate treatment.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology and immunocytochemistry of soft-tissue extramedullary plasma-cell neoplasms

This study presents 19 patients with extramedullary plasma-cell tumors diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology together with immunocytochemistry. Eight patients had primary extramedullary plasmacytoma, while 11 patients had tumors secondary to myeloma. The most common localization was soft tissue (9 cases), followed by lymph nodes (5), scalp (3), and oral and nasal mucosa (2). All FNA smears were cellular, and 12 cases showed dissociated monomorphic plasma cells. Seven cases showed a dominance of immature bare nuclei, which made then difficult to diagnose conclusively using cytomorphology only. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated monoclonal expression of light immunoglobulin chains in all cases which, together with demonstration of CD 38 positivity and cytomorphology, allowed a conclusive diagnosis of plasmacytoma.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of bilateral renal malakoplakia

Isolated bilateral renal malakoplakia in the absence of concomitant involvement of the urinary tract is a rare occurrence. We report imaging, cytologic, and histologic findings of such a case diagnosed initially by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. A 26-yr-old female presented with pain in the left flank, fever, anorexia, and weight loss for the past 2 mo. A left lumbar lump was palpable on physical examination. Imaging studies showed an enlarged nonfunctioning left kidney and a small lesion in the right kidney with preserved function. FNA from both kidneys yielded purulent material positive for E. coli on culture. The smears were inflammatory, with a predominance of neutrophilic polymorphs and numerous histiocytes along with some intracellular and extracellular Michaelis-Guttman bodies, which were highlighted with the use of a PAS stain. Histology of the nephrectomy specimen showed ill-defined nodules, composed of foamy histiocytes intermingled with neutrophils, plasma cells, and many variably sized concentric laminated bodies. The right-side lesion resolved with the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in conjunction with ascorbic acid and bethanecol. When imaging studies are suggestive of a chronic inflammatory process, renal malakoplakia must always be considered in the differential diagnosis even if aspirated material shows a predominance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The use of special stains like PAS, Von Kossa, and Perl's helps in reaching the correct diagnosis.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of superficial lymphadenopathy: a 5-year Brazilian experience

To determine the accuracy of fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) in the diagnostic assessment of lymphadenopathies, a retrospective study was conducted on 627 cases of FNA of the lymph nodes performed at Department of Pathology, UNIFESP (Federal University of São Paulo), between 1997 and 2001. Cytology results were compared to the results of biopsies if available. The cytological diagnosis was unsatisfactory in 14.7% of cases, positive in 46%, and negative in 39.3%. Among the positive cases, 79.4% were classified as metastases, 14.2% as lymphoma, and 6.4% as indeterminate. Anatomopathological exams for the determination of cytohistological correlation were available in 218 of the 627 cases. There were three (1.88%) false‐negative and two (1.25%) false‐positive cases. Accuracy tests revealed 97.41% sensitivity, 95.45% specificity, and 96.88% efficacy, with cytohistological agreement being almost perfect (κ = 0.92). The high accuracy of this study based only on cytomorphological criteria associated to the variety of malignant neoplasias diagnosed by the procedure demonstrates its relevance on patient care, especially in areas of limited financial resources. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006; 34:130–134. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of spindle cell neoplasms of the adrenal gland.

Three spindle cell neoplasms were encountered in a series of 46 FNA of the adrenal performed between 1984 and 1991. These neoplasms included a recurrent undifferentiated adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) with a predominant spindle cell pattern, a pheochromocytoma (PC), and a metastatic desmoplastic malignant melanoma (DMM). Cytologically, the ACC was characterized by the presence of numerous microtissue fragments composed of spindle-shaped malignant cells with oval to spindle-shaped nuclei, one or more nucleoli, and bipolar cytoplasmic processes. In some areas the tumor cells were dissected by vascular channels. The background contained abundant metachromatic stroma as well as individually scattered tumor cells. The PC was composed predominantly of loosely cohesive spindle-shaped cells along with more polygonal shaped cells with delicate faintly staining granular cytoplasm. The tumor cells exhibited mild anisonucleosis. The tumor fragments were well vascularized by arborizing delicate capillary channels. The DMM was composed of microtissue fragments, interlacing fascicles and loose aggregates of spindle-shaped malignant cells with hyperchromatic nuclei, small nucleoli, and an absence of cytoplasmic pigment. In each case ancillary studies including immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy (EM) were helpful in the differential diagnosis. The ACC was negative for cytokeratins, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and muscle-specific actin (HHF), but displayed strong positivity for vimentin as well as characteristic whorls of smooth endoplasmic reticulum by EM. The PC was positive for NSE and chromogranin with no EM performed. The DMM stained for S-100 and vimentin but was negative for HMB-45, cytokeratin, and HHF. EM examination revealed rare atypical premelanosomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of metastatic nonhaematological neoplasms of the breast: a series of seven cases

Metastatic neoplasms of the breast are rare. Mammary metastases as the initial presentation are even more infrequent and can simulate a primary malignancy clinically and radiologically. Recognition of metastatic tumors in the breast is important because it would prevent unnecessary mutilating surgery and would lead to appropriate treatment of the primary tumor. There is a broad variety of cytological appearances reported about primary tumors and few reports about secondary breast malignancies, specially diagnosed by FNAC. This study was carried out to examine the clinical and cytomorphologic features of metastatic breast tumors found in 12 de Octubre University Hospital during a period of 20 years. It confirms the utility of FNAC and describes findings that can help in the differential diagnosis that sometimes can be very difficult. Seven cases of nonhematological metastatic neoplasms of the breast were identified from the files of the Department of Pathology of the 12 de Octubre University Hospital from a total of 64,000 aspirates. We included only metastatic tumors from extramammary nonhematological neoplasms. There were nine cases of hematological metastatic neoplasm that were excluded. They were diagnosed with FNAC and confirmed by histopathology, with at least three years of follow up. The breast lump was the first manifestation of malignancy in one case of synovial sarcoma. The other six cases had been previously diagnosed of cancer. These included one malignant melanoma, one alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, one mixed müllerian tumor, one medullary carcinoma of thyroid, one colonic adenocarcinoma, and one gastric adenocarcinoma. The period of time between primary tumor and metastases ranged from one month to eight years. An accurate cytologic diagnosis was made in all the cases. Immunocytochemistry was available but diagnosis could be made with cytomorphology alone in the seven cases. Fine-needle aspiration cytology is an excellent first line diagnostic modality that is particularly informative when clinical previous data are known. If metastatic disease is suspected, the material obtained by FNAC may provide a definitive diagnosis and prevent open surgical biopsy or mastectomy. We concur with previous reports that FNAC is a reliable, rapid, secure, and cost-effective approach to the diagnosis of palpable metastatic breast tumors.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the breast

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an established, highly accurate, and cost-effective method for diagnosing lesions in different organs, including the breast. The method is minimally invasive without unwanted side effects. FNAC forms part of the triple assessment of breast lesions. Despite some shortcomings of the reporting categories, FNAC as part of the triple assessment has proved its value in describing the findings most accurately. The diagnostic impact depends on experience of the operator, quality of preparation, and diagnostic skills of the cytopathologist. The highest accuracy is achieved at centers with a multidisciplinary approach. FNAC is often palpation guided from palpable breast masses, whereas ultrasonography guidance is more widely used on nonpalpable lesions. Inadequate sampling with FNAC is particularly seen in collagenous lesions and in submitted specimens sampled by physicians lacking experience with the FNAC procedure. A diagnostic biopsy is recommended when FNAC provides scant material. FNAC is considered to be a safe method for screening purposes, although moderately less sensitive than core needle biopsy. FNAC is most accurate when experienced cytopathologists are available to assess the adequacy of the aspirated material and advise on additional aspirations for ancillary tests when needed.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the urinary bladder: a case report

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are malignant small round cell tumors, which exhibit a variable degree of neural differentiation. These tumors are usually found in the extraosseous soft tissue and rarely in bones. Occasional cases of PNETs of the urinary bladder have been reported on histopathology. However, to the best of our knowledge, none have been diagnosed on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). A patient presented to the out-patient department with complaints of a slowly progressive lump in the lower abdomen, which was diagnosed as PNET on FNAC. The smears showed a dispersed population and sheets of malignant small round cells with focal rosette formation and perivascular arrangement of tumor cells. Periodic acid-Schiff staining showed strong cytoplasmic positivity. Immunocytochemistry of the cytology smears also showed strong membrane positivity for CD99 (MIC-2), which was also confirmed on histopathological examination. PNET of the urinary bladder is a distinct entity, which can be diagnosed on FNAC and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. A diagnosis of PNET should be considered as a differential diagnosis in urinary bladder masses, especially in adolescents and young adults.     

Transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy cytology of pulmonary neoplasms

The experience with 212 transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy cytology specimens of mass lesions of the lung at a small Canadian hospital is reviewed. The technique showed a sensitivity of 78.0%, a specificity of 85.7%, a positive predictive value of 98.5%, and a negative predictive value of 25.0% when the cytological diagnoses were compared with the final clinicopathological diagnoses listed in the patients' charts. There was only one false positive diagnosis of malignancy. Diagnoses based on cytology of the aspirates were compared with histological diagnoses in 127 cases and the accuracy of typing of the major groups of carcinoma was assessed. Distinction between small-cell carcinoma and non-small-cell carcinoma was usually accurate and fairly good correlation was achieved for all major types of carcinoma. The results for typing of the neoplasm are not as good as those from larger centres in the world. The technique is considered to be useful even in the setting of a small hospital. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of pediatric neoplasms: correlation between electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry in diagnosis and classification.

A series of fine-needle aspiration biopsies performed in 635 children were reviewed. The diagnoses rendered in these patients included malignant lymphoma in 139 (21.9%); Hodgkin's disease, 25 (3.9%); neuroblastoma, 58 (9.1%); Wilms' Tumor, 37 (5.8%); Ewing's sarcoma, 32 (5.0%); rhabdomyosarcoma, 25 (3.9%); retinoblastoma, 22 (3.5%); leukemia infiltrate, 33 (5.2%); and miscellaneous tumors, 52 (8.2%). In 171 patients (26.9%), the biopsy was nondiagnostic. The cytomorphological characteristics of these lesions are briefly described and illustrated. Salient morphological features are further correlated with histological and ultrastructural appearances. Immunocytochemical patterns of these tumors are also discussed briefly.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology in azoospermic males

Bilateral testicular fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed in 100 males, including 10 controls with normal fertility and 90 infertile azoospermic males. The various seminiferous tubular cells were easily identified in smears. It was possible to give a cytological diagnosis in histologic terms by analysis of the combinations of various cell types. The cytohistologic correlation in 25 cases was nearly 100%. FNAC is particularly useful in cases of obstructive azoospermia, where mature spermatozoa are seen in smears.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of pancreatic somatostatinoma: the importance of immunohistochemistry for the cytologic diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine neoplasms

Pancreatic somatostatinoma is a rare pancreatic endocrine neoplasm representing as little as 1% of pancreatic endocrine neoplasms (PENs). The histologic features of this tumor are like those of other PENs, except that it commonly forms acinar structures and often has cells with abundant, granular cytoplasm. We have recently encountered two of these neoplasms sampled by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA). We discuss the cytologic and immunohistochemical findings of these two cases and the cytologic similarities these neoplasms share with pancreatic acinar-cell carcinoma (PACC). We review the cytologic features of PEN and PACC and discuss the importance of cell block immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasia sampled by EUS-guided FNA.