Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy of chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the vertebral column complicated by Corynebacterium infection: A case report

We describe a case of chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the vertebral column in a 67‐yr‐old male in whom the preoperative diagnosis was made by fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). This diagnosis was subsequently confirmed in the T8 corpectomy specimen. Although the smears of the aspirate revealed only occasional markedly atypical spindle‐shaped nuclei, the cell block was diagnostic of malignancy. It showed a well‐preserved fragment of neoplastic cartilage populated by markedly atypical hyperchromatic cells and a crushed fragment of anaplastic spindle‐shaped cells surrounded by opaque collagenous matrix reminiscent of osteoid. The surgically resected specimen exhibited comparable histological features as well as colonies of gram‐positive bacilli within the necrotic tumor. Culture confirmed the presence of Corynebacterium species. It is likely that these skin organisms were introduced at the time of FNAB. This case demonstrates the value of FNAB in the diagnosis of primary bone tumors and reports a rare complication of this procedure. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;20:38–43. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas: a rare neoplasm of elusive origin but characteristic cytomorphologic features

Clinical histories, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) material, and immunohistochemical stains performed on cell block samples of 6 solid-pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas (SPTPs) were reviewed in the cases of 5 females (13-58 years) and 1 man (57 years); all had abdominal pain. Preliminary cytologic diagnoses at endoscopy included 1 SPTP 2 low-grade neoplasms, and 3 pancreatic endocrine tumors. Variable numbers of branching fragments with central capillaries and myxoid stroma were seen in the smears of 5 of 6 cases but were more apparent in the cell block material of all cases. The cells had bland nuclear features and rare grooves. Extensive necrosis was noted in 1 case and rare mitotic figures in 1. SPTPs showed strong cellular immunoreactivity for vimentin and focal weak keratin reactivity. Neuron-specific enolase, alpha1-antitrypsin, and alpha1-antichymotrypsin stains performed in 2 cases were strongly positive. Subsequent surgical resection confirmed all diagnoses. EUS-guided FNA diagnosis of SPTP is accurate. The characteristic branching papillae with myxoid stroma are best seen in cell block slides. Clinical setting, cytomorphologic features, and immunostains of the cell block help distinguish SPTP from pancreatic endocrine tumors, acinar cell carcinoma, and papillary mucinous carcinoma.     

Fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology of hepatoblastoma

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) from four patients with histologically proven hepatoblastoma (HB) is reviewed. Patient ages ranged from 5 mo to 19 mo; two were male and two were female. Initial cytologic diagnoses were hepatoblastoma in two cases, malignant neoplasm consistent with liver cell tumor in one case, and probable Wilm's tumor in a fourth case. Cytologic features were similar in all cases and included highly cellular smears composed of a uniform population of small to intermediate sized round to oval cells. Extramedullary hematopoietic cells were obvious in smears of one patient. Neither bile nor extracellular stroma was seen. Immunohistochemical stains performed in two cases demonstrated positive staining for low-molecular-weight cytokeratins expressing polypeptides 8 and 18 of the Moll classification. Staining for vimentin, carcinoembryonic antigen, and epithelial membrane antigen was negative. alpha-Fetoprotein and alpha 1-antitrypsin stains were equivocal because of high background staining. Electron microscopy from three cases showed cells with features of immature hepatocytes. Three tumors were subsequently examined histologically by surgical biopsy, and one at autopsy. All were epithelial-type HB containing a mixture of "fetal" and "embryonal" hepatocytes. These results demonstrate the successful mimicry of FNAB cytology of hepatoblastoma to its histologic counterpart and its clinical utility in the diagnosis of intrahepatic masses of children.     

FNAB cytology of chordoma masquerading as adenocarcinoma: case report

We report a lesion of the mobile spine in a 77-yr-old white male who presented with lower back pain, radiating bilaterally to the legs, with numbness on walking and standing. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large mass within L3-L4 vertebral bodies; however, chordoma was not suspected or suggested. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the mass revealed mostly blood with isolated flat clusters of polygonal rounded epithelial-like cells in a myxoid background. Immunohistochemistry could not be performed on the FNAB specimen due to inadequate material for cell-block. A limited immunocytochemistry panel was performed on one cytology smear. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for cytokeratin. During primary and expert evaluation, these features were interpreted as metastatic adenocarcinoma. Prostate and thyroid were suggested as possible primary sites. An extensive clinical and radiological search did not reveal a primary lesion. Four years later, the patient underwent surgical decompression and stabilization of his lumbar spine to avoid a catastrophic collapse of spine with neurological deficit. Histomorphological features and immunohistochemical studies at this time confirmed the lesion as chordoma. This case highlights the significance of considering chordoma in the differential diagnosis of FNAB cytology of spinal column lesions suggestive of adenocarcinoma, especially when the clusters of low-grade epithelioid cells with vacuolated cytoplasm in a myxoid background do not show epithelial structures such as papillae, glands, or acini.     

Syphilitic lymphadenitis diagnosed via fine needle aspiration biopsy

Syphilis is coming back in the recent a few decades especially in the gay and HIV populations. Since syphilis can be "the great mimic" clinically and pathologically, a case report with updated review can be helpful to the medical community. We report, a case of syphilitic lymphadenitis diagnosed via fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). The pitfalls associated with the diagnosis of syphilitic lymphadenitis will be discussed. The patient's medical records were reviewed. The pertinent history, clinical course, and ancillary studies including FNAB cytology with special stains are presented. In addition to the case report, we discuss the diagnosis of syphilitic lymphadenitis and the role of FNAB cytology. This was a 37-year-old man presenting with a two-month history of a growing neck mass, night sweats, and a ten pound weight loss. The patient had been treated one month earlier for primary syphilis. Examination of the head and neck revealed a 3 cm right level II mass. FNAB cytology showed heterogeneous population of lymphocytes and plasma cells suggesting reactive changes. Modified silver staining of the cell block slide was performed and revealed spirochetes, consistent with syphilis. The patient's lymphadenitis resolved with a course of antibiotic treatment. Although lymphadenopathy is a rare presentation of syphilis, it should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients who offer a suspect history. FNAB with silver staining is an effective, minimally invasive way to confirm the diagnosis.     

Use of a novel marker, calponin, for myoepithelial cells in fine-needle aspirates of papillary breast lesions

Benign and malignant papillary lesions of the breast (PBL) can be difficult to distinguish in fine-needle aspirates (FNA). This study evaluates the use of smooth muscle actin (SMA) and a new smooth muscle-specific protein, calponin, for identifying myoepithelial cells (MEC) by immunohistochemical methods in paraffin-embedded cell blocks of FNA of PBL. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cell blocks of 40 cases of PBL were stained using SMA and calponin, steam heat-induced epitope retrieval, and an avidin biotin-complex technique. Staining was evaluated in MEC, epithelial, and stromal cells. The diagnosis of benign vs. malignant papillary lesion was made by using cytomorphological criteria and the presence/absence of MEC in the cell block. These results were compared to the original cytologic and subsequent histologic diagnoses. Of 40 cases of FNA diagnosed as PBL, there were 27 intraductal papillomas (IP), 6 papillary lesions with atypical features (PLAF), and 7 papillary carcinomas (PC). In all of the IP, MEC stained both with SMA and calponin. None of the PC cases was positive for MEC with calponin, and 2 out of 7 cases were weakly positive by SMA. In 6 cases of PLAF, 2 were negative for MEC, both by SMA and calponin, and a malignant papillary lesion was confirmed by histology. The remaining 4 cases were positive for MEC with both markers and were confirmed to be benign by histology. SMA stained stromal cells strongly in all of the cases where stroma was present (18 of a total of 40 cases of PBL), while calponin stained stroma focally in only 7 cases. More than half of all cases had nuclear staining of epithelial cells with SMA; calponin did not show any nuclear staining.     

Pathologic appraisal of the thymus gland in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in children. A study of four cases and a review of the literature

We studied the entire thymus gland by step-serial sections in four fatal cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in children. The location, configuration, and blood vessels of the thymus gland were normal. The weight was reduced. There was severe depletion of both lymphocytes and Hassall's corpuscles. Because of the normal location, configuration, and blood vessels and the seemingly less severe lymphocytic depletion than is seen in congenital immunodeficiency syndromes and because of the clinical and epidemiologic features, we concluded that this syndrome in children represents AIDS. We postulated that the epithelial cells of the Hassall's corpuscles may be the primary site of thymic injury in AIDS.     

2例婴幼儿胰母细胞瘤临床病理分析

目的：探讨婴幼儿胰母细胞瘤（pancreatoblastoma，PBL）的临床病理特征以及诊断与鉴别诊断。方法：回顾分析2例PBL患儿的临床资料、病理学特征、免疫组织化学结果，并复习相关文献。结果：2例PBL患儿均为无意中发现腹部肿块。组织学可见肿瘤细胞由上皮和数量不等的间质组成，密集的上皮被纤维间质分隔，形成巢状或器官样结构。肿瘤显示腺泡、导管和片状排列，排列成片状的瘤细胞中可见特征性的鳞状上皮岛。免疫组织化学结果显示2例角蛋白均阳性表达，抗胰糜蛋白酶局灶性阳性；嗜铬粒素A、神经元特异性烯醇化酶及CD99各1例局灶性阳性；2例导管分化的细胞癌胚抗原阳性表达；甲胎蛋白和突触素均阴性。结论：PBL是一种罕见的胰腺低度恶性肿瘤，多发生于婴幼儿。鳞状上皮岛为其组织学特征性改变，在诊断时应与其他胰腺肿瘤及畸胎瘤鉴别。     

Accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy processed by cytologic smear and cell block techniques for the diagnosis of lacrimal gland tumors: a study of 48 cases

Objective: To study the accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) processed by smear cytology and cell block (CB) techniques for the diagnosis of lacrimal gland tumors (LGTs). Study Design: In a prospective study, we enrolled 48 consecutive patients with LGTs. Immediately after excision of LGTs, the tissues were underwent FNAB with 23-gauge needles. The FNAB samples were processed to produce cytologic smears and CB from which slides were cut for immunohistochemical staining. The remainders were submitted for routine histopathologic processing. The diagnostic value of FNAB was assessed by comparing the FNAB diagnoses to those made by routine histopathology. Results: Cytopathologic evaluations based on smear cytology and CB with sections stained immunohistochemically can distinguish non-epithelial lesions from epithelial ones in all cases. The diagnostic sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies for distinguishing benign from malignant lesions were: cytologic smears--76%, 68%, and 71%, respectively; CB with immunohistochemical staining--88%, 87%, and 88%, respectively. The accuracy of the tissue diagnosis compared to routine histopathology was less for cytologic smears (58%) than for CB with immunohistochemistry (81%; P < 0.05). Conclusions: FNAB of LGT processed using a CB technique capable of producing immunohistochemically stained slides results in a greater percentage of accurate tissue diagnoses than do cytologic smears, when compared to routine histopathology.     

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of ovarian neoplasm

Twenty cases of ovarian neoplasm (12 non-coelomic and 8 coelomic and 8 epithelial tumors) have been subjected to fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). FNAB yielded adequate material in all those cases and it was possible to accurately classify the tumors in 16 cases (80%). In eight cases of non coelomic epithelial neoplasms preoperative cytological diagnosis helped in conservative surgery. Cytological features of different groups of ovarian tumors are to some extent characteristic. FNAB is a relatively safe and reliable diagnostic procedure.     

Metastatic metaplastic carcinoma of the breast (MCB): an uncharacteristic pattern of presentation with clinicopathologic correlation.

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast (MCB) is a well recognized but uncommon aberrant manifestation of poorly differentiated invasive carcinoma containing both epithelial (ductal) and mesenchymal elements as well as a transitional form between them. This heterogeneous tumor characteristically contains ductal carcinoma cells mixed with areas of diverse morphologic phenotype displaying spindle, squamous, chondroid, or osseous differentiation. Some studies have suggested that certain types of metaplastic carcinoma have a more favorable prognosis as compared with others. We describe a case involving a 67-yr-old woman who presented with metastatic nodules in the lungs and a vague but recent history of breast cancer. The case highlights a subtype of MCB with a predominant spindle cell component metastatic to the lung. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) smears of the nodules revealed a bland, spindle cell, mesenchymal proliferation with minimal evidence of an epithelial component. A second primary was clinically excluded and a request for review of the original slides identified a metaplastic component to the original tumor with a histologic and immunohistochemical profile identical to the metastatic tumor, confirming origin from the breast. Metaplastic carcinomas of the breast commonly bypass axillary lymph nodes and present as distant metastases. FNAB diagnosis of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is quite difficult at the primary site and poses a formidable diagnostic challenge at a metastatic site, especially when the dominant pattern is not of the usual type. The literature is reviewed, confirming the rarity of such a presentation and the novelty of this case. Confirmation by FNAB is also quite difficult but may become more commonplace as a trend toward minimal intervention continues to gain popularity. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing and reporting metaplastic elements in primary breast tumors, as well as the value of direct morphologic comparison of cytologic material from FNABs with archival histologic material. In such situations, the importance of complete and accurate clinicopathologic information is underscored.     

Cellient™ automated cell block versus traditional cell block preparation: a comparison of morphologic features and immunohistochemical staining

Traditional cell block (TCB) sections serve as an important diagnostic adjunct to cytologic smears but are also used today as a reliable preparation for immunohistochemical (IHC) studies. There are many ways to prepare a cell block and the methods continue to be revised. In this study, we compare the TCB with the Cellient? automated cell block system. Thirty‐five cell blocks were obtained from 16 benign and 19 malignant nongynecologic cytology specimens at a large university teaching hospital and prepared according to TCB and Cellient protocols. Cell block sections from both methods were compared for possible differences in various morphologic features and immunohistochemical staining patterns. In the 16 benign cases, no significant morphologic differences were found between the TCB and Cellient cell block sections. For the 19 malignant cases, some noticeable differences in the nuclear chromatin and cellularity were identified, although statistical significance was not attained. Immunohistochemical or special stains were performed on 89% of the malignant cases (17/19). Inadequate cellularity precluded full evaluation in 23% of Cellient cell block IHC preparations (4/17). Of the malignant cases with adequate cellularity (13/17), the immunohistochemical staining patterns from the different methods were identical in 53% of cases. The traditional and Cellient cell block sections showed similar morphologic and immunohistochemical staining patterns. The only significant difference between the two methods concerned the lower overall cell block cellularity identified during immunohistochemical staining in the Cellient cell block sections. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Value of fine needle aspiration cell blocks in the diagnosis and classification of lymphoma

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a simple yet accurate diagnostic procedure. However, the role of FNAB in lymphoma diagnosis and classification remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the value of FNAB cell blocks in the diagnosis and classification of lymphoma using our patented aspirator in a pencil-grip operation manner and a simplified cell block preparation method. We retrospectively reviewed 177 cases of lymph node and extranodal lymphoproliferative disorders that were diagnosed with cytomorphology, morphology, and immunohistochemistry of cell blocks. Of these, 83 were primary lymphoma; 14 were recurrent lymphoma; 8 were suspected as lymphoma, and 72 were benign reactive hyperplasia (BRH). Our analysis indicated 99.0% sensitivity, 95.9% specificity, 97.1% positive predictive value, and 98.6% negative predictive value in discriminating among primary/recurrent lymphoma and BRH. The diagnostic accuracy for sub-classification of lymphoma was 86.6% (84/97), with 77.8% (7/9) for classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma and 87.5% (77/88) for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Our results implicated cell blocks as a reliable and useful adjunct to FNAB for the diagnosis and classification of lymphoma. Cytomorphology, morphology, and immunohistochemical studies of cell blocks offered very high accuracy in the diagnosis of lymphoma and allowed further sub-classification in many cases. Thus, patients with a definitive diagnosis and classification might avoid invasive and expensive surgical biopsy procedures.     

Sarcomatoid transitional cell carcinomas of the renal pelvis. An ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study

Transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary tract may occasionally assume a partial or complete spindle cell pattern of growth, leading to the erroneous classification of some true carcinomas as sarcomas. We have recently observed two such tumors of the renal pelvis. In these cases, ultrastructural study showed that the spindle cells retained features of epithelial differentiation; this conclusion was further supported by positive results of several immunohistochemical stains, using biotinylated peanut agglutinin and soybean agglutinin, and a rabbit antiserum directed against keratin proteins. In addition, both tumors manifested immunoreactivity for blood-group antigens, using primary murine monoclonal antibodies. The results of these studies suggest that immunocytochemistry is a helpful diagnostic adjunct in the proper classification of sarcomatoid urothelial neoplasms.     

Fine needle aspiration biopsy diagnosis of metastatic prostate carcinoma to inguinal lymph node

Carcinoma of the prostate is predominantly a disease of older men. Men younger than 50 years of age account for approximately 1% of all patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. Patients generally present with urinary symptoms and rarely with metastatic disease. Lymphatic spread typically occurs to the obturator and internal iliac nodes. We report a case of an aggressive prostate adenocarcinoma in a 47-year-old white male who presented with nausea, vomiting, and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes for 1 month. A fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and immunohistochemical stains performed on the FNAB revealed metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma. The initial clinical presentation of inguinal lymphadenopathy, the age of the patient and the cytologic features made this an unusual case.     

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of a glomus tumor of the stomach

A glomus tumor of the stomach was found as an incidental finding on routine ultrasound in a 72-yr-old asymptomatic woman. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was performed and was initially interpreted as a well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasm, possibly a carcinoid tumor. The aspirate revealed tightly packed nests or clusters of uniform, small, round to polygonal cells with scanty, faintly eosinophilic or clear cytoplasm and ill-defined cell borders. The nuclei were uniform, and round to oval, and contained a granular chromatin pattern and inconspicuous nucleoli. Very occasional intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions were seen. Laparotomy and a wedge resection of the stomach were performed. The surgical pathology findings revealed a glomus tumor which was confirmed by immunohistochemical stains and ultrastructural studies. Since glomus tumors of the stomach are essentially benign and are amenable to conservative excision, it is important to separate them, preoperatively, from more aggressive gastric neoplasms. FNAB offers a rapid, cost-effective method of diagnosing this entity. We present the cytological, histological, ultrastructural, and immunocytochemical features of this particular gastric neoplasm, along with differential diagnoses.     

Clear cell carcinoma of the liver: a comparative immunohistochemical study with renal clear cell carcinoma.

Morphologic differentiation of clear cell hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC-CC) from clear cell renal carcinoma (RCC-CC) may not be possible without the aid of immunohistochemical stains. We performed a battery of immunohistochemical stains on 10 previously diagnosed HCC-CCs, and 10 RCC-CCs, in order to determine which single or combination of immunostains would be most useful in diagnosis. We concluded that a positive Hepatocyte immunostain (DAKO) is sufficient for a diagnosis of HCC-CC if enough tissue is available. This immunostain distinguishes HCC-CC from other clear cell malignancies with sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 100%, when biopsy material is adequate. Other tests were much less sensitive, although several had specificity of 100%. A negative immunostain does not exclude the diagnosis of HCC-CC (negative predictive value 91%, especially in small biopsy material) and should be followed by additional immunostains such as pCEA for demonstration of tumor canaliculi, ubiquitin for Mallory bodies, and several epithelial cell markers that are typically positive in RCC-CC (epithelial membrane antigen, Leu M-1, pancytokeratin) and negative in HCC-CC.     

Thymic epithelial cells expressed unusual follicular dendritic cell markers: thymic extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

Described herein is a case of thymic extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Using immunohistochemical double staining it was found that most of the thymic lymphoid follicles in this case possessed cytokeratin-positive and follicular dendritic cell (FDC) marker-positive cells. Moreover, using immunoelectron microscopy it was confirmed that some of the double-positive cells were thymic epithelial cells. The candidate of cytokeratin subtype expressed on the double-positive cells was cytokeratin 1 (CK1), which was expressed only by the epithelium of Hassall's corpuscles in thymuses from age-matched patients with myasthenia gravis. The present case indicates a possibility that some thymic epithelial cells become FDC, although it was uncertain whether they were derived from the epithelia of Hassall's corpuscles or whether they were at the same differentiation stage as Hassall's corpuscles.