Korean J Pathol.  2009 Dec;43(6):589-593. 10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2009.43.6.589.

Cytology of Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma on Intraoperative Touch Imprint Smears: A Case Report

• Song JY
• Jin XJ
• Han JY
• Kim L
• Park IS
• Kim JM
• Chu YC
• Choi SJ

• KMID: 1472649
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2009.43.6.589

Abstract

Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcoma is a neoplastic proliferation of FDCs. Because its cytologic findings can vary widely, both the cytomorphology and histopathology of FDC sarcoma can impose a significant diagnostic dilemma. We present cytologic features of FDC sarcoma assessed by intraoperative touch imprint. Intra-abdominal lymphadenopathies were noted in 54-year-old male with hepatitis B-virus associated liver cirrhosis. In contrast to cytologic features of classical FDC sarcoma, the tumor cells featured a large epithelioid or Reed-Sternberg cell-like shape scattered in a background with abundant inflammatory cells, which led to a mistaken diagnosis of malignant lymphoma. However, in accordance with cytologic features previously described in the literature, the tumor cells were characterized by a fragile cytoplasm with cytoplasmic processes in dendritic or reticulated patterns reminiscent of the ultrastructural features of FDC. Cytoplasmic features rendering nuclei with a tendency to form clusters or syncytial aggregates associated with reactive lymphocytes appear to be the most valuable finding in diagnosis of FDC sarcoma.

Keyword

Dendritic cell; Follicular; Sarcoma; Cytology; Lymph nodes

MeSH Terms

Cytoplasm
Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular
Dendritic Cells
Dendritic Cells, Follicular
Hepatitis
Humans
Liver Cirrhosis
Lymph Nodes
Lymphocytes
Lymphoma
Male
Middle Aged
Sarcoma