ABSTRACT
Two examples of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea are described in which the cytologic diagnosis was made from tracheal washings. It is easy to confuse adenoid cystic carcinoma with the more common small-cell neoplasms of the respiratory tract; however, if differential features are kept in mind, such a distinction can be made in the cytologic material. Differential features include cohesive, globular, honeycomb-like arrangements of cells lacking nuclear molding, three-dimensional cell groups with ball-like formations, and clusters of uniform cells with cystic spaces, some containing mucus. These features in both of our cases resulted in unequivocal cytologic diagnoses.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic/pathology , Tracheal Neoplasms/pathology , Adult , Cytodiagnosis , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Therapeutic IrrigationABSTRACT
Recognition of diagnostic viral changes in general, and due to herpesvirus infection (HVI) in particular, from a variety of materials examined cytologically has added a new dimension to diagnostic cytology. Such recognition provides valuable information to the clinician when no infection is suspected. Previously, the diagnosis of HVI of the respiratory tract was only possible at postmortem, tissue culture, or diagnostic rise in antibody titer. This study describes our experience in the diagnosis of HVI of the respiratory tract initially suggested by sputum cytology and later confirmed by the immunoperoxidase method. The importance of sputum cytology in the diagnosis of HVI is emphasized.
Subject(s)
Herpes Simplex/diagnosis , Respiratory Tract Infections/diagnosis , Sputum/cytology , Stomatitis, Herpetic/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Antibodies, Viral , Female , Humans , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Middle Aged , Simplexvirus/immunology , Sputum/immunologyABSTRACT
A case of thymoma was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology based on an intimate admixture of a biphasic cell population consisting of epithelial cells and lymphocytes from an intrathoracic mass. The diagnosis was later confirmed by light and electron microscopic examination of the tissue.
Subject(s)
Thymoma/pathology , Thymus Neoplasms/pathology , Adult , Biopsy, Needle , Combined Modality Therapy , Humans , Male , Microscopy, Electron , Thymoma/therapy , Thymus Neoplasms/therapyABSTRACT
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the lung was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in a patient who underwent renal transplantation due to end-stage renal failure. This case illustrates that CMV can be diagnosed by FNAC and, when seen, must be reported in an immunocompromised host.
