title: Fine-needle aspiration cytodiagnosis of Liesegang rings in women presenting with a mammographic opacity.
abstract: In this communication three women patients are described in which fine needle aspiration cytology was undertaken as a first line of noninvasive investigation to determine the cause of a mammographic opacity. The cytologic findings in the three cases showed features of apocrine cysts with numerous spherical ring-like structures resembling Liesegang rings of various sizes, with double-layer outer wall, striations, and an amorphous central nidus. Although similar structures have been described by us very rarely in breast cysts, their presence in a mammographic opacity was noted for the first time. Furthermore, in the three cases fine-needle aspiration cytology not only resulted in a specific diagnosis but also obviated the need for any invasive surgery apart from relieving patient anxiety and clinical concern by excluding a serious lesion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Services, Wellington Hospital, New Zealand.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Panwar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged