Gynecomastia: cytologic features and diagnostic pitfalls in fine needle aspirates.

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate some of the uncommon cytologic findings of gynecomastia, such as apocrine metaplasia, cellular atypia and foamy macrophages, that can be misinterpreted as evidence of malignancy. STUDY DESIGN: The clinical data and fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic material from 100 men with the diagnosis of gynecomastia were retrospectively reviewed. The excisional biopsy slides were available for 16 cases. For comparison, FNA smears from five men with breast lesions other than gynecomastia were studied. RESULTS: The patients ranged in age from 23 to 91 years. Cytologic findings were as follows: cohesive sheets of cells containing 20-1,000 cells (98%); scattered, single, bipolar cells (78%); spindle cells (68%); ductal epithelial atypia (26%); apocrine metaplasia (8%); and foamy histiocytes (12%). In nine cases the atypia was marked, and in two of them the possibility of malignancy could not be ruled out. Surgical follow-up on 16 patients, including the cases with marked atypia, showed gynecomastia. In one case, gynecomastia was associated with intraductal papilloma. No correlation between the underlying etiology and atypical cytologic features of gynecomastia was identified. CONCLUSION: Apocrine metaplasia and epithelial atypia are common findings in gynecomastia. Attention to the cell patterns, the presence of sheets of ductal cells and absence of atypical single cells will point to the correct diagnosis.

Squamous cells in needle aspirates of subcutaneous lesions: a diagnostic problem.

Analysis of 1,000 cases of fine-needle aspiration biopsies of subcutaneous lesions revealed 430 cases diagnosed as malignant. Squamous cell carcinoma represented 37% of the malignant neoplasms, and many of these cases were highly differentiated tumors. Although the presence of keratinized squamous cells in superficial aspirates is strongly suggestive of squamous cell carcinoma, other lesions may produce atypical squamous cells on aspiration biopsy and should be considered in the differential diagnosis. These include acanthotic ameloblastomas, metaplastic adenocarcinomas and Warthin's tumors, branchial cleft cysts, odontogenic keratocysts, and epidermal inclusion cysts. Two-needle aspirates from these cases were incorrectly interpreted as squamous cell carcinoma. The cytologic and some of the histologic characteristics of these lesions that may pose a diagnostic problem are presented. Careful evaluation of nuclear and cytoplasmic features, cellular background, clinical findings, and history is essential to avoid a false positive diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma.

Anaplastic sacrococcygeal chordoma. Fine needle aspiration cytologic findings and embryologic considerations.

A case of sacrococcygeal chordoma with anaplastic features is presented. The diagnosis of the anaplastic component was first established by fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, which demonstrated the sarcomatous elements as well as the physaliferous cells characteristic of chordoma. Subsequent histologic examination confirmed these findings. While the FNA cytologic findings of chordoma have been previously reported, this is the first case of an anaplastic chordoma diagnosed by FNA biopsy. The embryologic origin of this unusual tumor and its differential diagnosis are discussed.

Esthesioneuroblastoma: cytologic features with differential diagnostic considerations.

A case of recurrent esthesioneuroblastoma was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration of a midcervical mass. The cytologic features that characterize this uncommon neoplasm include uniform, small, round-to-oval cells with coarsely granular chromatin, multiple small nucleoli, prominent nuclear membranes, and scant cytoplasm. Morphologically and ultrastructurally, esthesioneuroblastoma cells resemble those of sympathetic neuroblastomas. Both tumors show rosette formation and minimal cellular pleomorphism, and, by electron microscopy, dense-core cytoplasmic granules can be identified. The cytologic recognition of esthesioneuroblastoma is important since it metastasizes to cervical lymph nodes accessible to fine-needle aspiration biopsy. In addition, the histogenesis of this unusual neuroectodermal tumor and its behavior are discussed.

Lymph node aspiration biopsy. Diagnostic reliability and limitations--an analysis of 350 cases.

The results of fine needle aspiration biopsy of lymph nodes in 350 patients and the modified biopsy technique used at our institution are discussed. Of the 350 cases, 209 aspirates were categorized as cytologically malignant, 102 as benign, 30 as suspicious for malignancy, and 9 as unsatisfactory. Cervical lymph nodes were most commonly sampled (58%), and supra-clavicular nodes were most likely to be malignant (90%). The overall diagnostic accuracy achieved was 94%. One false-positive and 9 (2%) false-negative results were observed in the 350 cases. In 3% of the 30 cases diagnosed as suspicious for malignancy, follow-up open biopsy of the lymph nodes in question proved them benign. The advantages and limitations of the procedure are discussed, as well as some of the possible sources of error, particularly in the diagnosis of lymphomas.