Myoepithelioma of the salivary glands. Fine needle aspiration biopsy findings.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the cytologic findings and pitfalls in the diagnosis of myoepithelioma of the salivary glands.


METHODS
Smears from 7 cases of myoepithelioma of the salivary glands, 3 plasmacytoid, 2 spindle and 2 mixed types, all histologically confirmed, were evaluated with special attention to cytologic features that may be helpful for the diagnosis.


RESULTS
A correct cytologic diagnosis was not made in any of the cases. Three were diagnosed as plasmacytomas or cellular pleomorphic adenomas, 2 as benign spindle cell tumors and 2 as cellular pleomorphic adenomas. Mitoses and marked pleomorphism were absent. Nuclear striations were noted frequently.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnosis of myoepithelioma was difficult on fine needle aspiration smears. Nuclear striations (zebra lines) were noted in 5 cases. This finding is not reported in previously published papers.
Kumar
Perikala V
PV
Departments of Pathology and Otolaryngology, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Sobhani
Seyed Ali
SA
Monabati
Ahmad
A
Hashemi
Seyed Baseer
SB
Eghtadari
Fardin
F
Hamidi
Seyed Afshin
SA
D000368:Aged; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009208:Myoepithelioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D013362:Sublingual Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D013365:Submandibular Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology