title: Vertebral histiocytosis-X causing spinal cord compression.
abstract: An unusual case of spinal cord compression caused by histiocytosis-X of the vertebral body of T-7 was recently operated upon in our department; the case was diagnosed during the operation by means of the squash-smear cytologic technique. Characteristic cytologic features were the presence of sparse eosinophilic leukocytes containing mature, multilobed nucleai and sharp, rather coarse, cytoplasmic granules; abundant histiocytes with round to oval, sometimes indented nuclei and finely granular cytoplasm; and giant, multinucleated cells, as those seen in granulomatous lesions. These cytotypes were grouped to form a monotone, but highly characteristic pattern. We think the reported picture is diagnosic of the pathologic entity under discussion.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013131:Spine / Q000166:cytology