title: Seemingly insignificant, but crucial cytomorphological leads in diagnosis of pilomatricoma of parotid region.
abstract: Pilomatricoma is a benign cutaneous appendegeal neoplasm which occurs as dermal nodule on head and neck region of children and young adults. Tumors pose a potential difficulty when diagnosed on fine-needle aspiration cytology. In this communication, we illustrate the cytomorphological features of pilomatricoma in a 38-year-female who presented with a nodule over the parotid region. Repeated aspirations of this nodule revealed low cellularity and cytology was hence inconclusive. The final diagnosis was made on histological examination and then retrospectively when those paucicellular cytological smears were analyzed again; showed features that could have driven the pathologist toward pilomatricoma. Familiarization and careful cytological examination under appropriate clinical conditions is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences and Research, Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Chakshu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences and Research, Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Jyoti
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mishra
keywords: Fine needle aspirate; paucicellular; pilomaticoma