Fine needle aspiration cytology of metastatic scalp nodules.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze cases of palpable cutaneous/ subcutaneous scalp nodules and evaluate the clinical features and role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in their diagnosis.


METHODS
A total of 1,022 cases of metastatic malignancies at various sites were analyzed over a period of two years. FNAC was performed as a routine outpatient procedure for palpable lesions and under ultrasound or computed tomographic guidance for nonpalpable, internal sites. Histologic correlation was done when possible.


RESULTS
Eighteen cases were found to be metastatic scalp nodules. The scalp as a metastatic site constituted 1.76% of all metastatic sites, 7.72% of extranodal sites, and 15.3% of extranodal and extrahepatic sites. Of the 18 cases, 7 (38.9%) had primaries in the head and neck region (thyroid, 3; orbit, 1; tonsil, 1; tongue, 1; and parathyroid, 1). Cutaneous/subcutaneous metastasis was encountered in 58 patients, and the 18 cases of scalp metastasis constituted 31.03% of all cutaneous sites.


CONCLUSIONS
Careful examination of the skin on the entire body, with particular attention to the scalp, should be done when a primary internal malignancy or recurrence is suspected. FNAC is a very helpful and cost-effective modality in determining the nature of such lesions.
Saikia
B
B
Department of Cytology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Dey
P
P
Saikia
U N
UN
Das
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000191:economics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012535:Scalp; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*