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 sacrococcygeal chordoma

The fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of four cases of chordoma that were diagnosed preoperatively is presented. One of the cases showed anaplastic components along with the classical features of chordoma; this is probably the second case diagnosed with these features on FNAC. The cytologic features of classical chordoma include conspicuous extracellular matrix in the background. Polygonal cells, dissociated and in small groups, were identified in all cases. Physaliphorous cells were also prominently found in these cases. In addition, the case with anaplastic features showed very bizarre cells with profound multinucleation and the presence of intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions. The diagnosis of chordoma was possible because of a high index of suspicion on clinical grounds and the use of special staining for confirmation.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of meningiomas with unusual presentations

Meningiomas are not often aspirated unless they erode the skull, occur intraorbitally, or present as swelling in the head and neck region. We describe the cytologic findings of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in four cases of meningioma that presented with swellings in the head and neck region. The patients underwent surgery, and the diagnosis of meningioma was confirmed. Three of the four cases were reported as aggressive meningiomas on histopathology.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of pilomatrixoma: a case report

The cytological appearance of breast lesions has been well-studied. However, skin lesions occurring as breast nodules have less often been studied by fine-needle aspiration. In addition. skin tumors occurring over the breast may be clinically mistaken for breast carcinoma owing to their fixity to the skin. This article presents one such case and describes its cytologic appearance.     

Role of fine‐needle aspiration cytology and fluid cytology in extra‐pulmonary tuberculosis

Extra‐pulmonary tuberculosis is the presence of disease in an organ without obvious involvement of the lungs (World Health Organization, Tuberculosis Fact sheet, 2006). The present article focuses on the incidence of extra‐pulmonary tuberculosis as an emerging and clinically significant disease to be reckoned with in the present era. It also highlights fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as an inexpensive, less invasive procedure for early diagnosis of such tuberculosis and timely initiation of specific therapy. All cases of proved tuberculosis presenting to the M.V.J. Medical College and Research Hospital were recorded over a period of two years (2008–2010); and categorized as pulmonary and extra‐pulmonary cases. A total of 96 cases of tuberculosis were observed; extra‐pulmonary tuberculosis was seen in 64 cases. Of these 56 cases were from lymphnodes and 8 from extra‐nodal sites which included tuberculous dactylitis (two cases), tuberculous mastitis (two cases), tuberculous synovial effusion (one case), pericardial effusion (one case), epididymo‐orchitis (one case), and cold abscess (one case). The cytology patterns observed included granulomatous inflammation and necrosis with or without acid fast bacilli. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of a primary ectopic meningioma

Meningiomas are benign tumors derived from arachnoid cells. Most commonly an intracranial lesion, meningiomas may be found extracranially in various anatomic sites. A 23-yr-old white female presented with left-sided palpable mass located submucosally in the floor of the mouth. CT scan revealed no evidence of mass elsewhere in the head and neck region. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) showed loose and cohesive cellular fragments with lobular growth pattern and uniform round or ovoid cells. The diagnosis of low-grade salivary gland neoplasm, not further classified, was made. The tumor was locally excised. The differential diagnoses of an extracranial meningioma and pleomorphic adenoma were discussed at the frozen section. Based on light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic (EM) findings, the final diagnosis of an ectopic meningioma was rendered. Ectopic meningiomas may pose a diagnostic challenge to clinicians and cytopathologists. It is easily forgotten in the list of differential diagnosis at an ectopic site. Primary ectopic meningioma in a region containing salivary gland(s) may mimic benign and low-grade malignant salivary gland tumors in FNAC.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma

In this article we described the fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of five cases of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). There were four cases of metastatic lymph nodes and one case of metastatic skin lesion. All of the TCC cases were primarily in the urinary bladder and were high grade on histopathology (grade 3). Three cases showed bladder muscle involvement and two cases showed superficial TCC at the time of primary diagnosis. FNAC smears showed abundant cellularity. The cells were present in discrete and small syncytial clusters. Nuclear position of the cell was central to eccentric. Many cells showed prominent nucleoli. Cercariform cells (CCs) were noted in four cases. These cells are malignant cells with a nucleated globular body and a unipolar nontapering cytoplasmic process. Two cases showed intranuclear inclusions. Prominent cytoplasmic vacuoles were noted in three cases. In addition, cell cannibalism and attempted pearl formations were noted in two cases.In conclusion, clinical history along with the certain cytological features such as the presence of CCs, cells with eccentric nuclei, and intranuclear inclusions are helpful to diagnose metastatic TCC on FNAC material.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of umbilical nodules: Sister Joseph's nodule.

Metastatic tumor deposits in the umbilicus are not uncommon. Fine-needle aspiration cytology is an important, simple, cost-effective diagnostic tool for delineating the value of umbilical nodules. However, only a few reviews and case reports of diagnosis of umbilical metastases by fine-needle aspiration cytology are available. A review of 52 cases of umbilical nodule aspirates over a 16-yr period forms the basis of this brief report.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of Sister Mary Joseph's (paraumbilical) nodules

During a period of 5 years (2001-2005), six cases of Sister Mary Joseph's nodule (umbilical metastasis) were diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). In all the cases, FNAC of umbilical nodules was the first investigation and subsequently the patients were investigated for the primary tumor. The primary carcinoma was found in the stomach in three cases, ovary in two cases and one case was of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Based on our findings, we suggest FNAC as an initial diagnostic procedure in cases suspected of umbilical metastasis. It is not only simple, fast, accurate and inexpensive but can also save the patient from other invasive diagnostic procedures.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of silicone granulomas in the augmented breast

We studied 12 aspirates from 10 patients who underwent diagnostic fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of an augmented or reconstructed breast. Six patients were augmented with silicone gel-filled implants and four patients had silicone liquid injections. FNAC indications included a painful or suspicious mass. Excisional biopsy was performed in six cases after FNAC. The findings of eight cases included modestly cellular smears composed of loosely cohesive histiocytes containing vacuoles of various sizes. Multinucleated foreign body giant cells, fragments of dense, amorphous fibrous tissue, and fibroblast nuclei stripped of cytoplasm were also present Two patients showed a mixture of inflammatory cells characteristic of intramammary lymph nodes or lymphoid aggregates. We conclude that silicone granulomas of the breast show a characteristic set of findings on FNAC which enable a cytopathologist to render a specific diagnosis given an appropriate history of breast augmentation. Diagn Cytopathol 1993;9:498-502. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of tubular carcinoma of the breast in a young woman

The fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) findings in a case of rare tubular carcinoma of the breast in a young woman are presented. The rarity of occurrence of tubular carcinoma in the breast and the bland and mostly orderly appearance of cells in the FNAC sample, as in tissue, were considered to cause the difficulty in the diagnosis of this tumor; also, these were features also found in other conditions of the breast. Furthermore, cytologists have limited experience with the diagnosis of this neoplasm from FNAC samples. It is therefore felt that (1) a cautious attitude is necessary when commenting on FNAC samples until more specific criteria are forthcoming for the diagnosis of this neoplasm; and (2) if cellular atypias are seen in FNAC samples, these should be reported with a recommendation for removal of the breast lump and a detailed tissue examination.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of myositis ossificans: A case report

This report describes the cytological findings of a case of myositis ossificans in a 16-yr-old girl. Clinically and radiologically she was suspected to have a malignant soft tissue tumor. This was not confirmed by fine-needle aspiration cytology and a diagnosis of benign lesion, probably myositis, was given. This diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of GIST: a diagnostic dilemma

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. The authors take this opportunity to report two cases of GISTs of large bowel diagnosed on cytology and confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry.     

Role of culture for mycobacteria in fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis

A total of 390 cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis was subjected to fine-needle aspiration cytology; 100 of the aspirates were subjected to culture for mycobacteria. The overall acid-fast bacilli (AFB) positivity in smears was 23.58%, with a maximum positivity of 32.94% in smears with both necrosis and granuloma. The overall rate of isolation of mycobacteria on culture was 35%. Mycobacteria were more frequently isolated from caseating lesions (40%) than noncaseating lesions (9%). Caseating lesions with granuloma had the highest AFB (smear and/or culture) positivity at 52%. Mycobacterium avium infection was diagnosed by culture in one case.     

Role of fine‐needle aspiration cytology in tuberculosis of bone

This study was designed to evaluate the role of fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in diagnosis of skeletal tuberculosis (TB). In this retrospective study, 20 cases were retrieved over a 10‐year period in which a cytologic diagnosis of osseous TB was rendered. The aspirations were performed with a 22‐gauge needle attached on a 20‐ml syringe after taking into consideration the radiological findings. The cytologic findings were subdivided into the following categories—epithelioid cell granulomas with necrosis, epithelioid cell granulomas without necrosis, and necrosis only. These cases were either with or without AFB positivity. The smears showed epithelioid cell granulomas in 23 cases (85.2%), multinucleate and Langhans' giant cells in 15 cases (55.6%), and inflammatory cells were noted in the background in 15 cases (55.6%). AFB was positive in six cases (22.7%). FNA provides a simple and safe outpatient procedure for the diagnosis of osseous TB and obviates the need of an open biopsy. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid gland: comparative analysis of experience at three hospitals

Fine-needle cytology is an effective and accurate diagnostic method for the assessment of thyroid lesions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of thyroid cytology at a tertiary where cytopathologists with experience in thyroid cytology participate in the procedure and compare it with results in two community hospitals lacking pathology departments and on-site cytopathologists. A total of 1,770 specimens were diagnosed between 1998 and 2003. Of these, 425 were from the two local hospitals. The fraction of unsatisfactory specimens was 24% for submitted specimens and 9.5% for those taken in the presence of a cytopathologist. The percentage of malignant specimens was 4.1% at the tertiary center compared with 2.2% of submitted cases. These data highlight the need to centralize thyroid fine needle cytology to specialized centers with experienced cytopathologists.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of breast: its impact on surgical practice with an emphasis on the diagnosis of breast abnormalities in young women

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the breast is a minimally invasive yet maximally diagnostic method, often precluding the need of an open biopsy. In young women, in whom breast cancer is a rare disorder, it is also important that carcinoma is recognized without delay so that an appropriate plan of management can be adopted. In this study, we reviewed our experience in a total of 3,226 needle aspirates of breast with particular emphasis on the diagnosis of carcinoma in women under the age of 30.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of glycogen-rich carcinoma of breast: report of a case and review of literature

Glycogen-rich carcinoma (GRC) of the breast is a rare histological subtype of breast cancer having a poor prognosis. There are very few case reports describing the cytological features of GRC on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). In this report we present the case of a 34-yr-old woman who underwent FNAC of a clinically palpable breast lump. The aspirate was cellular showing tumor cells in groups, clusters and lying singly. The tumor cells had abundant eosinophilic, finely granular to vacuolated cytoplasm with moderate to marked nuclear pleomorphism. With a cytological diagnosis of carcinoma, a wide local excision was performed. On histology a diagnosis of GRC was made with the tumor cells showing abundant glycogen. The presence of cells with abundant granular to finely vacuolated cytoplasm in a case of breast carcinoma, should point toward the possibility of GRC and other clear cell tumors of the breast. Demonstration of glycogen is required to make a definite diagnosis on cytology.     

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.