Cytological diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis: a report of four cases.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a common deep mycosis in South America caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, a dimorphic fungus. Biopsy is the most frequent diagnostic method. The aim of this article is reporting four cases of PCM, in which intraoral involvement simulated squamous-cell carcinoma and was diagnosed by exfoliative cytology. We highlight this diagnostic tool as a simple, low cost, painless, noninvasive, and fast diagnostic method for PCM.