Korean J Cytopathol.  1999 Dec;10(2):145-149.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Lung: Report of A Case Misdiagnosed as Adenocarcinoma

• Kim WS
• Hong EK
• Park MH

Abstract

Cytologic features of inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung have not been described frequently. We report fine needle aspiration cytologic(FNAC) finding of a case of inflammatory pseudotumor misdiagnosed as adenocarcinoma in a 63-year-old man. The FNAC displayed a mixture of histiocytes, myofibroblasts, pneumocytes, and plasma cells. Some histiocytes and myofibroblasts had large nuclei with irregular nuclear membrane and prominent nucleoli, which mislead the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma on FNAC. The heterogeneous cell population is the unique cytologic features of inflammatory pseudotumor, which are helpful to distinguish it from other circumscribed benign and malignant lesions. Familiarity with these features is essential to avoid misdiagnosis and possible overtreatment.

Keyword

Inflammatory pseudotumor; Fine needle aspiration cytology; Lung; Misdiagnosis; Adenocarcinoma

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma*
Biopsy, Fine-Needle*
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Errors
Granuloma, Plasma Cell*
Histiocytes
Humans
Lung*
Middle Aged
Myofibroblasts
Nuclear Envelope
Plasma Cells
Pneumocytes
Recognition (Psychology)