Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor involving cerebrospinal fluid: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a rare, aggressive tumor of the central nervous system. It is primarily seen in younger age-groups, and the cytomorphology has only been infrequently described.


METHODS
We present a case of AT/RT arising in the cervical spine of a 6-month-old boy. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology and correlating findings are described. The CSF cytomorphologic findings of the AT/RT cells are most notably large cells, eccentrically placed pleomorphic nuclei, prominent nucleoli and, commonly, cytoplasmic inclusions, as well as a second population of smaller mononuclear cells with minimal cytoplasm.


CONCLUSIONS
The cervical spine is a rare site for AT/RT to arise. It is important for pathologists to recognize the cytomorphologic features of AT/RT in the CSF of patients with this tumor to help determine prognosis and disease progression.
Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Brent J
BJ
Huddleston
Christopher M
CM
Sjostrom
Brian T
BT
Collins
D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018335:Rhabdoid Tumor / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013724:Teratoma / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery