Gita Jayaram

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Lymph Nodes in HIV-Infected Individuals

OBJECTIVE To assess the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in lymphadenopathy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals (HIVII). STUDY DESIGN Thirty-nine HIVII presenting with lymphadenopathy at University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, were subjected to FNAC. Cytologic smears were routinely stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain. Special stains and immunostains were used when necessary. RESULTS In nine cases, the cytologic appearance was compatible with HIV type A and in one case with HIV type C lymphadenopathy. In 21 cases, acid-fast bacilli (AFB) were demonstrated in the cytologic smears, enabling a diagnosis of mycobacterial lymphadenitis. In one of these cases there was a concomitant infection with Penicillium marneffei that was overlooked on initial cytologic examination. The cause of granulomatous lymphadenitis could not be ascertained in one case, where neither AFB nor any other organisms were demonstrable. Two cases of histoplasma and one of cryptococcal lymphadenitis were diagnosed, as was one high grade non-Hodgkins lymphoma that could be immunophenotyped on cytologic material. In three cases the aspirates were inadequate for a cytologic diagnosis. CONCLUSION Lymph node FNAC is a valuable investigative modality in HIVII. Most opportunistic infections (bacterial and fungal) can be correctly identified, and high grade lymphoma can be diagnosed and phenotyped.

Cytology of columnar-cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma

Columnar cell variant of papillary carcinoma (CCV‐PC) thyroid is a rare and aggressive tumor composed of tall columnar cells that form papillae, glands and solid structures. This paper describes fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic features in a case of CCV‐PC occurring in the right thyroid lobe of a 27‐year‐old female. Smears showed tall columnar cells in monolayered, three‐dimensional, acinar and occasional papillary clusters. Nuclei were oval or elongated and monomorphic. Nuclear pseudo‐stratification, resembling that seen in respiratory epithelial cells, was present in some of the cell clusters. Occasional cells showed squamous or Hurthle cell metaplasia. Nuclear grooves and intra‐nuclear cytoplasmic inclusions were not seen. Sections of the right lobectomy specimen showed an well‐encapsulated CCV‐PC with capsular and vascular permeation. Tall cell variant of papillary carcinoma (TCV‐PC) can be distinguished from CCV‐PC by the oxyphilia of the tumor cells and the absence of nuclear pseudo‐stratification. Colorectal and endometrial adenocarcinomas metastatic to the thyroid may be difficult to distinguish from CCV‐PC. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2000;22:227–229.

Fine‐needle aspiration cytology of metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Over a 32-month period at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, we were able to study the cytological appearance of metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in 17 cases. This comprised 14 males and three females of which 13 were Chinese, three were Malay, and one was Indian. Their ages ranged from 27 to 64 years. Histological correlation was available in all the patients in the form of nasopharyngeal biopsies, and they were classified as per the World Health Organization classification into types I, II, and III NPC. Smears from type II NPC showed good cellularity with mainly clustered and occasionally dissociated cells, with focal columnar appearance, vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and variable amounts of cytoplasm. Clusters of malignant cell closely associated with lymphoid cells and dissociation of malignant cells were more characteristic of type III NPC. FNA cytology is now applied extensively to the diagnosis of head and neck tumours and knowledge of the cytomorphology of NPC would greatly aid in pinpointing the primary of this tumour which is notorious for presenting with early nodal metastasis.

Cytologic evaluation of prognostic markers in breast carcinoma.

UNLABELLED To type breast carcinomaon on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) material and correlate the results with histologic typing, to grade breast carcinoma on FNAC material and correlate the findings with Bloom-Richardson histologic grading, and to determine the estrogen receptor (ER) status in cases of breast carcinoma by immunocytochemical (ICC) staining of FNA cytologic material and correlate the findings with ER status, as determined by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of tissue sections. STUDY DESIGN Seventy-seven cases of breast carcinoma diagnosed on FNAC formed the basis of this study. Typing was done in all cases on the basis of cytologic features and grading in 62. (Fifteen cases were special types of breast carcinoma). In all cases, ER status was determined by immunostaining of cytologic smears. Results of tumor typing, grading and ER status on cytologic material were compared with the results of histologic typing, grading and immunostaining of histologic material obtained from mastectomy or wide excision specimens. RESULTS Tumor typing was accurate in 73 of 77 cases (94.8%). Fifteen of 18 cases that were cytologically grade 3 were confirmed on histology, while 3 proved to be grade 2. Of 40 cytologic grade 2 cases, 26 were confirmed on histology, while 14 cases were grade 3. Three of 4 cytologically grade 1 cases were confirmed on histology while 1 was grade 2. The overall accuracy for cytologic grading was 71% (44 of 62 cases). Thirty-seven of 40 ER-positive cases (92.5%) were labeled ER positive on ICC. One case was ER negative on cytology, while in 2 cases the cellularity of the cytologic smear was insufficient to assess ER expression. Thirty-seven cases were negativefor ER on IHC. Nine of these showed ER positivity on ICC, 26 were negative, and 2 had cellularity that was inadequate for assessment of ER. Sensitivity and specificity rates for ER detection on ICC were 97.4% and 74.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION Tumor typing, grading and evaluation of ER status on FNA C material in breast carcinomas are simple, quick and moderately reliable techniques that compare and correlate favorably with histologic typing, grading and ER status on IHC.

Cytologic appearances in invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast. A study of 21 cases.

OBJECTIVE To examine the fine needle aspiration cytologic features of invasive lobular carcinoma of breast and to discuss problems that may occur in cytodiagnosis. STUDY DESIGN Fine needle aspiration cytologic smears from 21 cases of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) of breast were subjected to detailed cytomorphologic analysis. Features studied included pattern of cells, size of cells, nuclear placement, pleomorphism, presence of intracytoplasmic lumina (ICL) and signet ring cells. RESULTS Cellularity was generally moderate or high, and the pattern was predominantly or partly dissociated in 86% of cases. Rosettelike pattern was discerned in alveolar-type ILC. Cell size was usually small or intermediate, with nuclei placed eccentrically in most cases. ICLs with or without signet ring cells were present in 12 cases (57%). CONCLUSION A cytologic picture consisting of predominantly dissociated small or intermediate-sized tumor cells with eccentric nuclei, with some of the cells showing ICLs, is highly suggestive of ILC. Indian file pattern, another characteristic feature of ILC, is, however, focal and inconsistent. Variant patterns of ILC may show other cytologic features, such as rosettelike pattern (alveolar variant of ILC) or large cell pattern (pleomorphic variant of ILC) and may consequently be difficult to categorize on cytologic smears.

Leiomyosarcoma of the Breast

Background Leiomyosarcoma of the breast is a rare neoplasm. We present a case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the breast in a middle-aged female in whom fine needle aspiration cytologic features suggested sarcoma. Case A 55-year-old female presented with a rapidly growing breast lump of 1 months duration. On examination, an ulcerating, 12×10-cm tumor was seen involving the lower medial and lateral quadrants of the right breast. Fine needle aspiration cytology showed variably sized, dissociated and loosely clustered polygonal, plump and spindle cells with pale blue cytoplasm and vesicular nuclei that were round, oval or irregular. Occasional giant forms and nucleolated and mitotic cells were present. A single cluster of benign ductal cells was seen. The tumor cells did not express immunocytologic reactivity to estrogen receptor protein. A cytologic diagnosis of sarcoma was given with differential diagnoses of metaplastic carcinoma and malignant phyllodes tumor. Histologic study established the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. Conclusion Leiomyosarcoma of the breast shows fine needle aspiration cytologic features of sarcoma, but specific tumor typing may not be possible, especially when the cytologic material is inadequate for ancillary staining required to distinguish leiomyosarcoma from metaplastic carcinoma and malignant phyllodes tumor.

Cytology of Ki-1-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma : A report of two cases

BACKGROUND Ki-1-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (Ki-1 ALCL), one of the more recently described pleomorphic types of lymphoma, affects mostly children and adolescents and is sometimes mistaken for carcinoma or sarcoma. CASES Two cases of Ki-1 ALCL were diagnosed on cytology. One patient presented with generalized lymph-adenopathy and involvement of the skin and subcutis, while the other was admitted with pneumonia and multiple subcutaneous masses in the chest wall. Fine needle aspiration cytology smears in both cases showed dissociated cells with abundant, lightly basophilic, vacuolated cytoplasm; oval, round or lobulated nuclei; and binucleate, trinucleate and multinucleate cells with a wreathlike arrangement of nuclei. Most of the tumor cells expressed immunocytologic reactivity to CD 30, and a cytologic diagnosis of Ki-1 ALCL was made. Tru-cut biopsy of the chest wall tumor in case 2 and review of lymph node biopsy done one year previously in case 1 permitted a cytohistologic correlation. CONCLUSION Knowledge of the distinctive cytomorphologic features of Ki-1 ALCL combined with the clinical setting should enable its distinction from other pleomorphic neoplasms in most cases, while in others it should go a long way toward narrowing the cytologic differential diagnosis.

Papillary breast lesions diagnosed on cytology. Profile of 65 cases.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the cytologic features of nipple discharge and fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic smears from breast lesions reported as showing papillary features and to correlate them with histopathologic features. STUDY DESIGN The study group consisted of FNA smears and/or nipple discharge smears from 65 breast lesions diagnosed on cytology as duct papilloma, papillary lesion, fibrocystic condition, fibroadenoma, papillary neoplasm or papillary carcinoma. Cytomorphologic features assessed included cellularity, cell pattern (clusters, papillary, 3-dimensionality, etc.) and cell characteristics (monomorphism, pleomorphism, apocrine change, plasmacytoid features). Histological material was available for review and cytohistologic correlation in all cases. RESULTS Forty-six specimens were FNA smears, and 16 were nipple discharge smears; in 3 cases FNA and nipple discharge cytologic smears were available for review. Cytologic study could predict the presence of a papillary pattern in all neoplasms with pure or focal papillary differentiation. There was an overlap in cytomorphologic features between papillary and nonpapillary benign lesions as well as between benign and malignant papillary neoplasms. Frank blood in the aspirate, cell dissociation and atypia, however, were more frequent in the last. CONCLUSION Overlap of cytologic features in nonneoplastic and neoplastic benign papillary lesions and between benign and malignant papillary neoplasms necessitates histologic evaluation in all cases diagnosed as papillary on cytology. Since 49.2% of lesions showing papillary features on cytology prove to be malignant, all cases reported as papillary on cytology should be excised urgently for histologic assessment.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis — A Malaysian Perspective

This study was undertaken to analyze the fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic, functional and immunologic features in Hashimotos thyroiditis (HT) with special reference to ethnicity in Malaysian patients. 88 cases of HT retrieved from the archives of the cytology laboratory were reviewed. Ethnic, clinical, cytologic, biochemical, and immunologic features were correlated. HT was more common in Indian patients (57%). 33% of HT cases presented with nodular thyroid enlargement (47.5% were Chinese). 57.5% were euthyroid and 35% hypothyroid. Thyroglobulin antibody (TG Ab) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO Ab) (tested in 29/88 cases) were elevated in 83% and 93% cases respectively. Review of cytologic smears showed Hurthle cells in 56% cases, high lymphoid to epithelial ratio in 38%, lymphoid follicles in 67%, follicular cell infiltration by lymphoid cells in 69% and lymphohistiocytic clusters in 40%. Giant cells and/or granulomas were present in 45% and plasma cells and/or immunoblasts in 40% of cases. 17% showed neutrophils and/or eosinophils infiltrating follicular epithelial cells. Follow up FNA of eight cases showed appearance of a diagnostic cytologic pattern in all and changes in clinical presentation in four. Hashimotos thyroiditis was more common among Indian women with nodular presentation seen more often in Chinese. Hurthle cell change, lymphoid follicles and follicular cell infiltration by lymphoid cells, considered histologic hallmarks of HT, were seen less frequently. 17% cases showed infiltration of follicular cells by neutrophils and eosinophils, a hitherto undescribed feature in HT. Follow up cytology was helpful in monitoring progression of disease and arriving at a definitive diagnosis.

Malignant Teratoma of the Thyroid with Predominantly Neuroepithelial Differentiation

BACKGROUND Teratoma of the thyroid in adults is extremely rare, and most are malignant. Only nine cases have been adequately documented in the English-language literature, and there are no reports detailing the fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic characteristics. CASE A 32-year-old female presented with a left-sided nodular thyroid mass with left cervical lymphadenopathy. FNA cytology of the thyroid and lymph nodes was done. The cytologic and immunocytochemical features were that of a small round cell tumor with neuroepithelial (NE) differentiation, metastasizing to the cervical nodes. Microscopic study of the thyroidectomy specimen showed a tumor showing an NE pattern with occasional islands of squamous and cuboidal epithelium, leading to a diagnosis of malignant teratoma. CONCLUSION Knowledge of FNA cytologic features of rare but highly malignant lesions like thyroid teratomas allow early recognition so that suitable and possibly aggressive treatment protocols can be adopted in the hope of prolonging survival.