Cytomorphology of subcutaneous cysticercosis. A report of 10 cases.
The findings of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of subcutaneous cysticercosis are described. Nine patients had a single subcutaneous nodule. One patient had multiple skin and cerebral nodules that were clinically suspected due to cysticercus. Patients with a single nodule in the extremities and trunk were clinically diagnosed as having lipoma (1), fibroma (3) and neurofibroma (3). Tuberculous lymphadenitis was suspected in two cases with a single cervical nodule. The characteristic cytomorphology of parasitic tegument and parenchyma helped identify the larvae in the cytological smears, as did a polymorphous inflammatory reaction. Biopsy was done in four cases. Six patients were lost to follow-up. Histopathology of the nonaspirated nodule from the case with multiple skin nodules showed cysticercus. The other three biopsies showed a parasitic granuloma only. Of the four biopsied cases, only two underwent computed tomographic scans, which showed cerebral involvement. In a developing country like India, a rapid, safe and reliable cytologic diagnosis of subcutaneous cysticercus by FNAC on an outpatient basis proves to be a cost-effective procedure since it obviates the need for open biopsy.
Kamal
M M
MM
Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Grover
S V
SV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D002648:Child; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003552:Cysticercus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005350:Fibroma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006099:Granuloma / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008067:Lipoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000175:diagnosis; D012876:Skin Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000175:diagnosis