Cytologic, cytochemical, immunocytochemical and ultrastructural diagnosis of a sacrococcygeal chordoma in a fine needle aspiration biopsy specimen.
The cytologic, cytochemical, immunocytochemical and ultrastructural findings on the aspirated material are presented for the case of a 57-year-old man with sacrococcygeal chordoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration biopsy. Cytologically, two types of cellular elements were differentiated: medium-sized cells with few cytoplasmic vacuoles and classic physaliferous cells. Both types showed marked cytoplasmic positivity for keratin and S-100 protein; the absence of nuclear positivity in the physaliferous cells was notable. Ultrastructural study demonstrated the existence of true intracytoplasmic vacuoles and frequent rough endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria complexes. The cytologic differential diagnosis with chondrosarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, ependymoma and metastases of mucosecretory carcinomas is reviewed.
Plaza
J A
JA
Pathologic Anatomy Service, Gómez Ulla Military Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
Ballestín
C
C
Pérez-Barrios
A
A
Martínez
M A
MA
de Agustín
P
P
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002817:Chordoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003050:Coccyx; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012447:Sacrum; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure