Pigmented neuroectodermal tumor of infancy in the epididymis. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Pigmented neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (PNTI) is a rare pigmentary tumor. Cytologic study of this tumor had not been performed before. In the present study, cytology of such a tumor was done in addition to histology, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry.


METHODS
A 5-month-old infant had a scrotal tumor. After tumorectomy, touch smear for cytology revealed small and large tumor cells. The small cells showed a high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, and the large cells contained pigment in their cytoplasm. Histologically, the small cells and large, pigmented cells showed a typical alveolar and tubular pattern, respectively. The small cells neuroblastlike and the large cells showed melanocytelike features ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically.


CONCLUSIONS
Cytology has not been applied to the diagnoses of PNTI. In our opinion, fine needle aspiration cytology could be helpful in the preoperative diagnosis of this tumor.
Toda
T
T
Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.
Sadi
A M
AM
Kiyuna
M
M
Egawa
H
H
Tamamoto
T
T
Toyoda
Z
Z
D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D004822:Epididymis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017600:Neuroectodermal Tumor, Melanotic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009418:S100 Proteins; D014746:Vimentin; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase