Cytologic diagnosis of intravenous talc granulomatosis by fine needle aspiration biopsy. A case report.
A fine needle aspiration specimen from the right lung of a 44-year-old former drug addict was submitted for cytologic evaluation. The specimen consisted of numerous mononucleate and multinucleate macrophages containing aggregates of silicate crystals, as seen by light microscopic examination using a polarizing filter. The background of the slides included fibroblasts, lymphocytes and other inflammatory cells. The finding within foreign-body giant cells of large groups of strongly birefringent, platelike crystals varying widely in size led to the conclusive cytologic diagnosis of intravenous talc granulomatosis.
D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D006099:Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D013627:Talc / Q000009:adverse effects*
D013627:Talc