Korean J Cytopathol.  1998 Jun;9(1):85-88.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Pulmonary Lesions in Wegener's Granulomatosis: A Case Report

• Seo EJ
• Kwon HJ
• Min KO

Abstract

We described the findings of fine needle aspiration cytology of the lung from a patient with Wegener's granulomatosis. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of the patients with Wegener's granulomatosis is essential for a better prognosis. However, the variety of clinical presentations and nonspecific radiologic infiltrates of Wegener's granulomatosis frequently make the diagnosis difficult. Although an open lung biopsy is required for a firm diagnosis, fine needle aspiration cytology & biopsy preparation can also provide an adequate tissue sample, when the findings of fine needle aspiration are considered with clinical manifestations and ANCA value in the serum. The cytologic smears showed scattered necrotic tissue fragments entrapping many neutrophils and occasional epithelioid cells. Multinucleated giant cells were infrequently observed. Ziehl-Neelsen stain for acid fast bacilli was negative. All the cytologic features recapitulated the histopathologic findings of purulent and necrotizing granulomatous inflammation seen in Wegener's granulomatosis.

Keyword

Lung; Wegener's granulomatosis; FNAC

MeSH Terms

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
Biopsy
Biopsy, Fine-Needle*
Diagnosis
Early Diagnosis
Epithelioid Cells
Giant Cells
Humans
Inflammation
Lung
Neutrophils
Prognosis
Wegener Granulomatosis*
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic