Fine needle aspiration cytology in cutaneous and subcutaneous endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of cutaneous and subcutaneous endometriosis.


METHODS
We present 7 cases of endometriosis in abdominal wall, inguinal region and perineum diagnosed by FNAC. All cases were confirmed with histologic follow-up. Cytologic and histologic material was prepared using standard methods.


RESULTS
The smears were highly cellular, showing a hemorrhagic background with hemosiderin-laden macrophages and sheets of epithelial and stromal cells. Occasionally, these cellular components were closely associated.


CONCLUSIONS
FNAC is useful in the diagnosis of cutaneous and subcutaneous endometriosis, providing a rapid and accurate preoperative diagnosis.
Catalina-Fernández
Inmaculada
I
Department of Pathology, Perpetual Aid University Hospital, Badajoz, Spain. yaye@eresmas.net
López-Presa
Dolores
D
Sáenz-Santamaria
Javier
J
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D010502:Perineum / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000473:pathology