Cytodiagnosis of a herniated disk presenting as a soft tissue mass. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Extraforaminal disk herniation has been recognized with increasing frequency. When the herniated disk (HD) fragment detaches and migrates away from the spinal column, it can be confused with other space-occupying paraspinal lesions.


METHODS
A 63-year-old female presented with right leg pain and weakness. A magnetic resonance image showed a right psoas muscle mass. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) established a diagnosis of HD.


CONCLUSIONS
The cytologic appearance of HD is characteristic. When correlated with clinical findings, the diagnosis of HD can be established by FNAB.
Chen
K T
KT
Department of Pathology, Saint Agnes Medical Center, Fresno, California 93720, USA.
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology