title: Cytology of cervical chordoma in cerebrospinal fluid from a child. A case report.
abstract: The cytologic findings on cerebrospinal fluid examination of cervical chordoma in a 2-year-old girl are presented. The major cell type was a small, isolated, hyperchromatic cell with sharply defined nuclear membrane and granular cytoplasm. However, the characteristic cell of this neoplasm, the so-called physaliferous cell with typical bubbly cytoplasm, was also noted. Cytologic findings were compared to biopsy findings, with a good correlation of tumor morphology. Clinical follow-up revealed unusually aggressive tumor behavior, and the patient died a year later despite intensive chemotherapy. The differential diagnosis of the condition is also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratories, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA.
authors.forename: S Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Semmelmeier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Urmacher
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002817:Chordoma / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology