Premium
Schwannomas: A pitfall in the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenomas on fine‐needle aspiration cytology
Author(s) -
Kapila Kusum,
Mathur Sandeep,
Verma Kusum
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.10121
Subject(s) - pleomorphic adenoma , medicine , schwannoma , differential diagnosis , pathology , cytology , salivary gland , fine needle aspiration cytology , adenoma , fine needle aspiration , radiology , biopsy
Fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is being employed with increasing frequency for the preoperative diagnostic workup of salivary gland lesions. Although most cases show morphologic features very characteristic of specific entities, few lesions, both benign and malignant, can cause problems in interpretation. We report four cases initially diagnosed on FNA as spindle‐cell tumors, possibly benign nerve sheath tumors (BNST) in the salivary gland region. These cases were later diagnosed on histologic examination as schwannoma (two cases) and as pleomorphic adenoma (two cases). Review of the cytomorphology of these four cases enabled the correct diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma in the two cases misinterpreted as BNST. Benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma. A diligent search for epithelial elements is recommended prior to diagnosing BNST in the head and neck region. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2002;27:53–59. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.