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Biomedical subjects

J F Silverman

Publications and source records attributed to J F Silverman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The role of fine-needle aspiration cytology in the evaluation of metastatic clear cell tumors.

BACKGROUND: Clear cell tumors (CCTs) occur as primary neoplasms in a number of anatomic sites. Due to their overlapping morphologic features, these tumors can be challenging for the cytologist, particularly when they present as metastatic lesions. METHODS: Forty-nine fine-needle aspirations (FNA) of metastatic CCTs from 46 patients (age range, 29-87 years; mean, 64 years) were reviewed retrospectively. In addition to the routine smears and cell block preparations, ancillary studies were performed in selected cases. Clinical and/or histologic follow-up was obtained for all patients. RESULTS: The sites of the 49 FNAs were the lung (12 cases), lymph nodes (9 cases), liver (7 cases), bone (7 cases), soft tissue (4 cases), pelvis (2 cases), adrenal gland (2 cases), pancreas (1 case), thyroid (2 cases), peritoneum (2 cases), and vagina (1 case). Twenty-seven patients had a previous history of a CCT and the FNA material in these cases was consistent with a metastasis. The primary anatomic sites in these cases were the kidney (20 cases), ovary (2 cases), salivary gland (1 case), and cervix (1 case). On light microscopy, these tumors had a similar appearance and often were indistinguishable. Nineteen patients did not have a prior history of malignancy; 12 of these patients had a concurrent renal mass and the diagnosis of metastatic renal cell carcinoma was made. The anatomic site of origin of seven of the ten remaining tumors (kidney [2 cases], lung [2 cases], ovary [1 case], germ cell [1 case], and endometrium [1 case]) was established through immunocytochemical studies of cytologic material and clinical follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: FNA plays an important role in the diagnosis of metastatic CCT. Cytologic examination, ancillary studies, and clinical information can establish the anatomic site of origin in the majority (95%) of cases, precluding the necessity of obtaining additional tissue. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol)

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗

Intraoperative cytologic diagnosis of suprasellar and sellar cystic lesions.

The intraoperative distinction of craniopharyngiomas (CP) and cystic pituitary adenomas (PA) from other intracranial parasellar cystic lesions can significantly modify the extent of surgery and reduce postoperative morbidity. Frozen-section diagnosis may be limited by the scant tissue available for examination. The imprint cytology of six parasellar cystic lesions is examined, along with their radiologic and histologic findings. These include two Rathke's cleft cysts (RCC), three CP, and one cystic PA. RCC showed scattered clusters of cuboidal cells with prominent cilia. Cystic PA demonstrated clusters of monomorphic round cells with minimal cytoplasm. CP displayed "wet" keratin and clusters of squamous cells with a palisaded border. In all six cases, cytology supported the final histologic diagnosis. In one case, the intraoperative diagnosis was based solely on cytologic examination. Cytology can contribute significantly to an accurate intraoperative diagnosis of parasellar cystic lesions and potentially modify surgical management.

Adenoma↗

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of a mediastinal seminoma associated with multilocular thymic cyst.

Multiloculated thymic cysts are uncommon lesions that can be either acquired or associated with malignancies. This report describes the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of a mediastinal seminoma with prominent cystic change, confirmed by surgical pathology examination and ancillary studies performed on both the cytology and tissue specimens. The FNA cytology revealed clusters of malignant oval-to-polygonal-shaped cells with large oval nuclei possessing prominent nucleoli set in a pale-to-eosinophilic cytoplasm. These cells were surrounded by a dense lymphoid infiltrate along with a few noncaseating granulomas. The large malignant seminoma cells stained positive for placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) and negative for both low molecular and broad-spectrum cytokeratin. The differential diagnosis of malignancies associated with thymic cysts is presented. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of aspiration cytology of a mediastinal seminoma associated with a multilocular cyst.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma arising in a pilonidal sinus, with literature review.

Fewer than 50 cases of carcinoma arising in a pilonidal sinus have been reported, with only 5 patients having documented inguinal lymph node metastases. This is the first report of the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis of this uncommon clinical situation of squamous-cell carcinoma arising in a pilonidal sinus, metastatic to an inguinal lymph node. We report on a 59-yr-old male with squamous-cell carcinoma arising in a pilonidal sinus who presented with inguinal adenopathy. FNA biopsy of a lymph node was performed, resulting in a diagnosis of metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma. FNA biopsy is useful in the evaluation of patients with inguinal adenopathy and a history of malignancy arising in a pilonidal sinus. The possibility of this rare complication should also be considered when metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma to an inguinal lymph node is diagnosed by FNA cytology in patients having an unknown primary except for a change in a long-standing pilonidal cyst.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Fine-needle aspiration cytologic features of pseudovascular adenoid squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung.

Pseudovascular adenoid squamous-cell carcinoma (PASCC) is an epithelial malignancy with spindle-cell features that can mimic vascular neoplasms, particularly angiosarcoma, in its morphologic characteristics. There have been only a few surgical pathology reports of PASCC arising in the lung, skin, and breast. We describe the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic and histologic features of a pulmonary PASCC in a 66-yr-old man. The aspiration yielded individually scattered and syncytial fragments of malignant epithelioid-appearing cells with oval to spindle shapes, prominent nucleoli, and a finely vacuolated amphophilic cytoplasm. The core needle biopsy specimen displayed these same cells lining pseudoluminal spaces, with intervening bundles of fibroconnective tissue simulating a vascular neoplasm. The neoplastic cells stained positively with cytokeratin (AE-1/3), epithelial membrane antigen, and vimentin and were nonreactive with S-100, muscle-specific actin, CD31, CD34, and carcinoembryonic antigen. These cytologic, histologic, and immunocytochemical features supported a diagnosis of PASCC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the FNA cytologic features of this pseudovascular variant of adenoid squamous-cell carcinoma. This FNA case illustrates that the cytologic impression was more accurate and, in fact, that the histologic features of PASCC can be misleading. The correct identification of PASCC and its distinction from angiosarcoma has important clinical ramifications for treatment and prognosis. FNA cytologic examination with ancillary studies is a minimally invasive procedure that can distinguish PASCC from sarcomatous lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:265-270.

Aged↗

The cost-effectiveness of the cytology laboratory and new cytology technologies in cervical cancer prevention.

The effect of changes in cytology laboratory costs, including the costs of new technologies, on the cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer prevention has not been studied. Using University of Iowa laboratory detection rates and costs, a decision model determined the cost-effectiveness of the laboratory with and without new technologies. Compared with not performing a cervicovaginal smear, the cost to increase the discounted life expectancy per patient by 1 year was $2,805 for the laboratory component alone and $19,655 for the entire cervical cancer prevention strategy. In moderate- to high-risk women, cervical cancer screening was cost-effective even at high cytology laboratory costs (eg, $75 per smear). New technologies were cost-effective only if they resulted in a substantial increase in the detection of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (eg, an additional 236 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions per 10,000 women). New technologies have not demonstrated these increased detection rates.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

The diagnosis and significance of visceral pleural invasion in lung carcinoma. Histologic predictors and the role of elastic stains.

Invasion of the visceral pleura is an important component of lung carcinoma staging, and in some studies is an independent prognostic indicator. Evaluation of invasion by H&E may be indeterminate. Elastic stains can be helpful but are performed rarely. We reviewed all lung carcinoma resections from 1993 for 13 histologic features potentially predictive of pleural invasion. Of 57 resections, 20 were indeterminate by H&E. Verhoeff-Van Gieson (VVG) stain revealed invasion in 8 cases, increasing the pathologic stage in 1. VVG stain was negative in 12 cases, 2 of which had been falsely reported as positive, decreasing the stage in 1. Angiolymphatic invasion and single-cell spread were significant predictors of invasion. Absence of both or the presence of intervening aerated parenchyma predicted lack of involvement in all cases. Elastic stains can provide prognostically important information, changing the pathologic stage in 4% of lung carcinoma resections overall and in 10% of cases indeterminate by H&E for pleural invasion.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Elemental analysis and clinical implications of calcification deposits associated with silicone breast implants.

Calcification of the fibrous capsule surrounding silicone breast implants is a well-recognized occurrence that increases with time following implantation. These mineralized deposits potentially confound mammographic breast cancer surveillance already made difficult by the obscuring effects of silicone breast implants. The authors performed elemental analysis of silicone breast implant-associated calcifications to define better their chemical composition as related to mammographic and clinical significance. Electron probe microanalysis and infrared spectroscopy revealed all of the calcification deposits to be calcium complexed with tribasic phosphate. No evidence of calcium oxalate, calcium carbonate, silicone, or talc was observed. Caution must be employed in interpreting mammograms in women with silicone breast implants as well as those who have had their silicone breast implants removed. High-density mammographic calcifications indicative of calcium phosphate associated with a silicone breast implant may represent an accepted consequence of implantation or nearby carcinoma. We recommend baseline mammography on women who have had their silicone breast implants removed to prevent unnecessary fine-needle aspiration or tissue biopsy of retained breast capsule calcifications during subsequent routine surveillance for carcinoma.

Breast↗

Synchronous malignancies detected by effusion cytology.

This case report describes the detection of two synchronous malignancies by cytologic examination of pleural effusion fluid in a 66-year-old man. The effusion cytology examination documented an adenocarcinoma in the background of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The cytologic findings were confirmed by surgical biopsy and ancillary studies performed on the cytology specimen including immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and electron microscopy. This case is unusual and to the best of our knowledge the first reported case in the English literature of two synchronous malignancies being diagnosed by effusion cytology. When two separate populations of atypical cells are present in the cytology smears, the possibility of multiple malignancies should be considered.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of amyloid associated with nonneoplastic and malignant lesions.

To assess the value of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology for the diagnosis of amyloid, we retrospectively studied all FNA cases diagnosed as having amyloid during a 6-yr period (1990-1996). FNA was performed on both superficial and deep locations. A total of 6 cases containing amyloid was studied, including primary medullary thyroid carcinoma, metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma to a vertebrae, multiple myeloma, squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung metastatic to a hilar lymph node, primary pulmonary amyloid, and amyloid tumor in a vertebral body in a patient with primary systemic amyloidosis. Despite the location or disease association, the cytologic appearance of amyloid in all cases was similar. On Diff-Quik stain, amyloid appeared as amorphous, irregular, waxy basophilic to metachromatic clumps of material. Papanicolaou stain revealed cyanophilic to organophilic clumps of material with occasional prominent fissures. In all 6 cases, amyloid was confirmed by Congo red stain and in 3 cases by a thioflavin T stain. In 4 of the 6 cases (67%), amyloid was associated with an underlying malignancy. In 3 cases malignant cells were admixed with the amyloid, and in another case malignancy was present at a distant site. We conclude that FNA biopsy is a helpful initial procedure for the evaluation of patients with amyloid deposits. The clinical implications of amyloid found in any particular body site include both benign and malignant conditions. The presence of an associated neoplasm must be especially considered in the differential diagnosis of amyloid deposits.

Adult↗

Diagnosis of mastocytosis by fine-needle aspiration cytology.

We report a case of a 28-yr-old man in whom mastocytosis was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of enlarged periaortic lymph nodes. FNA cytology revealed numerous mast cells characterized by cells having round to oval eccentrically placed nuclei and associated coarsely granular cytoplasm, most conspicuous on Diff-Quik- and Giemsa-stained smears. Lymphocytes, histiocytes, and occasional plasma cells were present in the background. We believe this paper to be the first reported case of mastocytosis diagnosed by FNA. The case demonstrates the utility of FNA in evaluating lymphadenopathy occurring in mastocytosis.

Adult↗

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of a subareolar abscess of the male breast.

We report on the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of a subareolar abscess of the breast in a 45-yr-old man. The patient presented with a 1.5-cm mass in the subareolar region. FNA cytology demonstrated the presence of numerous anucleated squamous cells and a few small nucleated squamous cells as well as numerous neutrophils and some lymphocytes in the background. Histiocytes were also present, including some multinucleated foreign-body-type giant cells. No organisms were identified either with special stains or microbiologic cultures. The differential diagnosis of FNA of the male breast is presented, along with other lesions that can potentially contain either benign or malignant squamous cells in the aspirate. The correct FNA diagnosis of this unusual benign lesion involving the male breast should lead to the appropriate treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published report of FNA cytology of a subareolar abscess of the male breast.

Abscess↗

Morphology and pathogenesis of Liesegang rings in cyst aspirates: report of two cases with ancillary studies.

Liesegang rings are laminated ring-like structures occasionally found in benign cysts and abscesses. They have been confused with parasites (especially eggs), algae, calcifications, and psammoma bodies. We examined Liesegang rings from fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of a benign cyst of the breast and a complex renal cyst. Liesegang rings were best observed with Papanicolaou, hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, acid-fast (AFB), and Gram stains, which accentuate the concentrically laminated morphology. An amorphous electron-dense core and fibrillary lucent concentric rings were seen with transmission electron microscopy with no significant energy peaks by electron probe microanalysis or distinct diffraction patterns by X-ray diffraction. This investigation indicates that Liesegang rings are composed of organic substances most likely formed by periodic precipitation from a supersaturated solution within cystic fluid. Awareness of the Liesegang phenomenon within cystic lesions will decrease the possibility of erroneous misdiagnosis as another type of pathologic process.

Cyst Fluid↗

Diagnostic utility of MIC-2 immunocytochemical staining in the differential diagnosis of small blue cell tumors.

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) and peripheral neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) are considered in the differential diagnosis of small round blue cell tumors of infancy and childhood which includes neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and malignant lymphoma. Fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of these neoplasms can be particularly difficult when the neoplasms are composed of poorly differentiated cells or fail to produce a stroma. MIC-2 is a highly sensitive and specific marker for the PNET/ES group of neoplasms and has been studied extensively in surgical pathology. Other small blue cell neoplasms including rhabdomyosarcoma, blastemal Wilm's tumor, and lymphoblastic lymphoma have also shown positivity, but the staining reactions are usually weak and focal. The utility of this marker in the differential of small blue cell neoplasms in cytologic material has not been examined. Twenty cases of small blue cell neoplasms obtained by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) were studied. MIC-2 antibody was applied retrospectively to formalin-fixed cell block material and destained alcohol-fixed and air-dried cytologic preparations. These cases include primitive neuroectodermal tumor (five cases), Ewing's sarcoma (two cases), neuroblastoma (four cases), Wilms's tumor (four cases), lymphoblastic lymphoma (two cases), and small-cell carcinoma (three cases). The cases were judged positive when the majority of the cells showed cytoplasmic staining. Diffuse cytoplasmic staining was observed in all seven cases of PNET/ES. Staining could be seen on the destained air-dried smears (three cases), fixed smears (two cases), or the cell block material (two cases). None of the other 13 small blue cell neoplasms showed positive staining. We conclude that MIC-2 is a sensitive and specific marker for the PNET/ES group of neoplasms in specimens from formalin-fixed cell block, air-dried, and alcohol-fixed cytologic material and is useful in the differential diagnosis of small blue cell tumors.

12E7 Antigen↗

Interobserver variability of a Papanicolaou smear diagnosis of atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance.

The interobserver variability of a Papanicolaou smear diagnosis of atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS) has not been measured. Four expert cytopathologists retrospectively reclassified 100 smears originally diagnosed as AGUS; on follow-up examination, 54 had a clinically significant lesion and 46 had a benign lesion. The mean sensitivity and specificity of reclassification were 86% and 21%, respectively. The kappa statistic for pairwise cytopathologist comparison varied from 0.16 to 0.27. In 45% of cases the cytopathologists all used different Bethesda System diagnoses, and in no case did all the cytopathologists use the same diagnosis. There was little agreement on which cytologic criteria were important in separating clinically significant and benign lesions. We conclude the following: interobserver agreement in reclassifying AGUS lesions is very poor; the AGUS category is poorly understood, and there is no agreement on diagnostic cytologic criteria; and when reclassifying slides, cytopathologists make a number of false-negative diagnoses.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Diagnostic pitfalls in fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the mediastinum.

A retrospective review of 189 fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of the mediastinum from four university medical centers was performed. Review of Diff-Quick- and Papanicolaou-stained direct smears was performed from a series of 189 FNA biopsies along with surgical pathology correlation obtained in 42% of the cases. There were 28 (14.8%) nondiagnostic or unsatisfactory for diagnosis cases. Of the satisfactory FNA specimens with histologic correlation, 12 cases (6%) were discordant. These errors primarily involve subclassification of small-cell malignancies involving the mediastinum, including a misdiagnosis of small-cell carcinoma for lymphoma. Large-cell lesions that were problematic included the accurate diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma including the separation from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Large-cell lymphoma with sclerosis was misinterpreted in two cases due to distortion of cells by the mesenchymal tissue and sparsely cellular smears. In two cases classification of primary germ-cell tumors and separation from metastatic carcinoma was a problem. In general, FNA of the mediastinum is an accurate procedure, but can be challenging in a minority of cases due to sparse cellularity of the lesions and accurate classification of a variety of neoplasms that occur in this region. These 12 discordant cases serve as the basis of our report.

Adult↗