Collagenous crystalloids in a fine needle aspirate of a pleomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary gland. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Collagenous crystalloids were previously observed in histologic sections of pleomorphic adenoma. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no English-language reports dealing with collagenous crystalloids in fine needle aspirates.


METHODS
A fine needle aspiration specimen obtained from a mass in the hard palate of a 52-year-old female revealed collagenous crystalloids. The crystalloids were yellow to green, measured 30-50 microns in diameter and were radially arranged.


CONCLUSIONS
This case indicates that collagenous crystalloids in salivary gland aspirates may be a clue to the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma.
Sugihara
K
K
Department of Pathology, West Japan Pathology Laboratory, Kurashiki, Japan.
Hirokawa
M
M
Shimizu
M
M
Manabe
T
T
Kanahara
T
T
D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D003094:Collagen