• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 1993

The fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic findings in 16 cases of histologically confirmed thymoma are reported. The aspirates were obtained under fluoroscopic guidance. The cytologic diagnoses were inadequate sample in one case, thymoma in 12(75%), small cell carcinoma or thymoma in 1, benign mesenchymal tumor in 1, and germ cell tumor in one. The cytologic features were detailed according to the constituent epithelial cell type, and into 4 small of epithelial cells and lymphocytes. Fifteen cases were classified into 4 small epithelial cell type, 6 intermediate epithelial cell type, 1 large epithelial cell type, 1 large pleomorphic epithelial cell type, and 3 spindle-shaped epithelial ceil type. Cytologic differential diagnosis was discussed, and the important criteria for the cytologic diagnosis of thymoma were reviewed. This review leads us to think that nonoperative cytologic approaches in the diagnosis of the thymoma are possible, and that correct cytologic diagnosis of thymoma with FNAs can easily be made, if adequate samples are obtained However the invasiveness and histologic type could not be predicted by cytological features only. Knowing various cytologic and histologic features of thymoma will be helpful for the diagnosis of thymoma and the differential diagnosis of modiastinal tumors.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1993

The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the usefulness of intraoperative fine needle aspiration (FNA) of pancreatic lesions in 30 patients. A conclusive diagnosis was done in 27 patients and the diagnoses of three patients were deferred. No complications followed the procedure. Based on histologic findings of the resected specimens in 20 cases and of cell blocks in 10 cases, the final diagnoses were adenocarcinoma in 19 cases, chronic pancreatitis in nine cases and tuberculosis in two cases. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy were 95%, 100% and 96% resepectively and there were no false positives. The smear of aspirate was stained with toluidine blue and examined by light microscope. The presence of there-dimensional clusters of disoriented cells and the increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio with large prominent nucleoli were the most helpful criteria for a diagnosis of malignancy in the pancreas. The intraoperative FNA of pancreatic lesions was considered as a simple, safe, and highly specific and sensitive tool in differentiating benign from malignant lesions. The intraoperative FNA can be recommended as the first tool of choice of intraoperative diagnostic procedure in lesions of the pancreas.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2008

Adenomatoid tumor is a benign neoplasm of a mesothelial origin, and it usually occurs in the reproductive organs, especially in the epididymis. The author experienced a case of adenomatoid tumor involving the tunica albuginea and testicular parenchyme without any evidence of epididymis involvement. The patient was a 36-year-old man with a painless scrotal mass that he had experienced for 2 months, and this mimicked testicular neoplasia, including metastatic carcinoma, or other benign lesions. The imprint cytology of the tumor showed a hypocellular smear with mainly arranged cells in cohesive monolayered clusters along with occasional singly dispersed cells and naked nuclei in a clean background. The cellular clusters formed vague glandular and cord-like structures. The tumor cells were large polygonal to columnar cells with a relatively monomorphic appearance. The nuclei were oval to round shape and they showed vesicular, fine chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. The cytoplasm was moderate to abundant, and it contained fine vacuoles in some tumor cells. Mitoses and cellular pleomorphism were not present. Awareness of the cytologic finding of this lesion is necessary to screen or differentiate a testicular or paratesticular mass before and/or during surgery because the cytology may be useful as a diagnostic tool. Pathologists should be aware of the cytologic features of common lesions in this anatomic region so as to avoid performing aggressive and unnecessary surgical procedures.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2008

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a slowly growing, benign soft tissue tumor. The tumors occur predominantly on the hands and feet. Although the clinical and histopathologic features are well-defined, only a few reports have described the cytologic appearance of this entity. A 26-year-old woman presented with a gradually developing circumscribed soft tissue mass near the proximal phalanx of her left little finger for one year. Imprint and fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears were obtained from the excisional biopsy specimen. The imprint smears were composed of predominantly singly dispersed bland mononuclear cells and several giant cells. The mononuclear cells were polygonal to round, and they showed a histiocyte-like appearance. Osteoclast-type multinucleated giant cells of various sizes were randomly scattered throughout the smears, and these cells contained 3 to 50 nuclei. Nuclear atypia and pleomorphism were absent in both the single and giant cells. Loose aggregates of hemosiderin-laden macrophages and binuclear stromal cells were also seen. The cytologic features of the FNA smears were similar with those of the imprint, Additionally, the FNA smears contained several clumps of densely collagenous stromal tissue that were seldom noted in previously reported cytologic material. The cytologic features were well-correlated with the concurrent histologic findings and the diagnosis of GCTTS was made. When the clinical and radiologic datas are integrated, the diagnosis of GCTTS can be strongly suggested, based on the pre-operative cytologic specimen.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.157-160
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• 2007

Granular cell tumor (GCT) of the breast is a rare clinical entity, and is believed to be of schwannian origin and to follow a benign clinical course. A 50-year-old woman presented with a slowly growing mass in the right breast. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed a cellular smear containing isolated or clustered cells showing round to oval nuclei with abundant oncocytic granular cytoplasm. Nuclei showed a fine granular chromatin pattern and occasional small single nucleoli. Cell boundaries were poorly defined, and naked nuclei were frequently found, Histologically, the tumor showed features of typical GCT, and immunohistochemical staining findings strongly supported the diagnosis. The present study demonstrates that GCT of the breast can mimic malignant lesions of breast both clinically and radiologically. The recognition of its cytologic features and suspicion of this lesion would undoubtedly aid the correct diagnosis of mammary GCT.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2007

Cytologic diagnosis of the metastatic tumors to the thyroid is important in the management of the patients. There have been rare reports analyzing fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of metastatic tumors to the thyroid. This study examines comprehensive cytologic findings of metastatic tumors to the thyroid with radiologic findings. The FNA cytology slides obtained from 12 cases with metastatic tumors of the thyroid; lung cancer (n=5), tongue and tonsil cancer (n=3), esophageal cancer (n=2), and breast cancer (n=2) were reviewed. Radiological study showed single mass with heterogeneous texture or multiple masses without calcification. Metastatic tumor was easily considered in a differential diagnosis of FNA cytology because they had peculiar cytological features which were not seen in primary thyroid tumor. The smear background varied from predominantly necrotic, bloody, and inflammatory to colloid. The aspirates exhibited a mixture of benign follicular cells and malignant cells in 6 cases. The characteristic cytoplasmic features of the tumor cells, such as keratin, mucin and melanin, were found in 9 cases. Although some cases mimic primary thyroid neoplasm, a careful examination of the cytological characteristics may help cytopathologists to recognize a metastatic tumor in the thyroid by FNA, and may help the clinicians to establish a proper treatment plan.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.107-110
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• 2008

We evaluated the usefulness of cervicovaginal cytology as a primary screening test by analyzing the cytologic and histological diagnoses of 2,254 women. Cervicovaginal cytology had 93.0% sensitivity, 86.1% specificity, 88.2% positive predictive value, and 91.7% of negative predictive value. Cervicovaginal cytology as a primary screening test showed much higher specificity but slightly lower sensitivity than HPV DNA testing. However, the sensitivity of cervicovaginal cytology will be improved continuously due to the development of liquid-based cytology. We regard cervicovaginal cytology as a good primary screening test for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or carcinoma.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.164-167
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• 2008

Malakoplakia is an uncommon chronic granulomatous inflammation that usually involves the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts, but rarely affects the female genital tract. We experienced a case of malakoplakia in a cervicovaginal smear in a 54-year-old woman. Colposcopic examination showed a friable, easily bleeding tissue in the uterine cervix and the vaginal fornix. The cervicovaginal smear consisted of numerous isolated histiocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. The histiocytes had an abundant, granular, and degenerated cytoplasm with inflammatory cell debris. Michaelis-Gutmann bodies were readily identified.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.173-177
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• 2008

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare low grade malignant tumor of the salivary glands and it shows a characteristic biphasic population of epithelium and myoepithelium. It shows various cytologic and histologic features, so making an exact diagnosis is difficult. We report here on two cases of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma arising from the parotid gland and we compare the cytologic findings of the aspirated samples with the histologic findings of the tumors. We think the finding of mixed pattern of large, clear myoepithelia and small epithelia is the most valuable finding in the diagnosis of EMC.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.183-187
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• 2008

Pseudohyperplastic prostatic adenocarcinoma is a rare histologic variant of prostatic adenocarcinoma that resembles benign nodular hyperplasia. Immunohistochemistry can verify the absence of basal cells, but it is frequently admixed with conventional adenocarcinoma. Because fine needle aspiration cytology is rarely performed in primary prostatic adenocarcinoma, the cytology of the pseudohyperplastic variant has not been described. We experienced a case of metastatic pseudohyperplastic adenocarcinoma in a pulmonary nodule of 75-year-old man. The cytologic smear was mostly composed of large, flat sheets with elongated branching papillae in a clean background. The sheets showed a well-defined honeycomb appearance of tall columnar, regularly arranged monotonous cells with little cytologic atypia. In subsequent prostatic biopsy, pseudohyperplastic variants were identified together with conventional adenocarcinoma of Gleason's grade 3 and 4. The cytologic features of pulmonary nodules were identical to those of pseudohyperplastic components of prostatic adenocarcinoma.