title: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy cytology of myositis ossificans.
abstract: Increased utilization of fine-needle aspiration cytology to better define mass lesions before surgical excision can occasionally expose a cytologically worrisome yet biologically benign proliferative process. Such a proliferation may mimic a malignant neoplasm but is actually benign. Because of its limited exposure in the literature, we describe the cytopathology of two cases of myositis ossificans obtained by the fine-needle aspiration biopsy technique. Both lesions occurred in adolescents. One involved the deep muscle of the thigh, whereas the other was a superficial lesion of the anterior abdominal subcutaneous fat. In both instances a benign entity was favored, but in one case sarcoma could not be absolutely excluded by fine-needle aspiration cytology. Follow-up surgical excision in one case, and incisional biopsy in the other confirmed the diagnosis of myositis ossificans (MO). The cytologic differential diagnosis of this lesion is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Wakely
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Frable
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology*; D009221:Myositis Ossificans / Q000473:pathology*