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Skeletal structures that clinically simulate lymph nodes: Encounters during fine‐needle aspiration
Author(s) -
Stanley Michael W.,
Knoedler John P.
Publication year - 1993
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.2840090119
Subject(s) - medicine , supraclavicular fossa , rib cage , radiography , fine needle aspiration , supraclavicular lymph nodes , otorhinolaryngology , soft tissue , radiology , clavicle , cervical lymph nodes , surgery , biopsy , anatomy , cancer , breast cancer , metastasis
We report eight patients in whom bones of the cervical spine or cervical ribs were clinically mistaken for jugular chain or supra‐clavicular lymphadenopathy, respectively. Each was referred for fine‐needle aspiration by an experienced surgeon, oncologist, rheumatologist, or otolaryngologist. In the neck, the bony nature of the pseudo‐lymph nodes was apparent when the needle contacted bone. Bone was not contacted by the needle in the supra‐clavicular fossa. Aspiration smears showed normal soft tissues in all cases. Radiographs showed cervical ribs in both of the patients with supraclavicular pseudo‐lymphadenopathy. One of these was surgically explored and no adenopathy was detected. Radiographically, one patient with jugular chain findings had unilateral enlargement of a transverse vertebral bone process, another showed scoliosis, and a third had a normal cervical spine study. During follow‐up of 1‐33 mo (median = 14 mo), no patient developed adenopathy at any additional site. All are alive and well.