Rounded atelectasis: diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration cytology.
Rounded atelectasis, a rare, benign mass lesion, is most often seen in association with asbestos-related pleural changes. Often a presumptive diagnosis can be made on the basis of characteristic CT and chest radiographic findings. However, not infrequently radiographic imaging fails to differentiate rounded atelectasis from primary bronchogenic carcinoma, a disease which is seen with increased frequency in patients with asbestos exposure. We describe two cases where the diagnosis of rounded atelectasis was made by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. The cytologic features included abundant pulmonary parenchymal material with thickened alveolar walls containing pulmonary macrophages and connective tissue. It is important to realize that this is a useful positive finding indicating rounded atelectasis, rather than a negative finding suggesting the absence of neoplasm. Needles with a cutting action may be necessary to obtain sufficient material to make the diagnosis of rounded atelectasis.
Miller
W T
WT
Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia 19104-4283.
Gupta
P K
PK
Grippi
M A
MA
Miller
W T
WT
D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000473:pathology*