We reviewed the cytological findings of 38 cases of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) with histological confirmation performed during a period of 15 years and proposed a morphological subtyping based on the most prominent cytologic features. Seventeen of these cases were alveolar, 14 cases embryonal, and seven botryoid subtypes. From these cases, a total of 43 samples, of which 37 were fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies and six were touch imprints, were evaluated. Detailed cellular features were identified which enabled differentiation into histological subtypes. In the alveolar RMSs, most tumour cells were small and lymphocyte-like, having finely granular chromatin. The finding of cells with more abundant cytoplasm, eccentrically located nuclei and bi/multinucleated tumour cells in a background of mucosubstance helped in the differential diagnosis. Two cell types, including large, tadpole or ribbon-shaped tumour cells and small, round cells with scant cytoplasm, were seen in embryonal RMSs. In botryoid RMSs, a cell type with tightly grouped nuclei within elongated cytoplasm similar to a myotubular structure was observed in addition to the two cell types of embryonal RMSs. We conclude that with experience it will be possible to subtype these tumours by cytologic examination alone.

We report a case of a 45-year old woman who was found to have a giant mediastinal tumour with radiological degenerative changes. She underwent thoracotomy to remove the mass, which was eventually diagnosed histologically as an ancient schwannoma, whereas cytological interpretation of the accompanying pleural fluid was malignant. Ancient schwannoma is a rare variant of schwannoma, histologically showing atypical features that may result in erroneous diagnosis of a malignant tumour. Clinical and radiological findings are important aids for further consideration of surgical removal of these potentially resectable tumours.

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ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the subacromial impingement syndrome and its relationship with the acromion morphology.MethodsThirty patients (24 women, 6 men) with subacromial impingement were evaluated. The average age of patients was 53.6 ± 9.8 years (range 39–80). Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the acromion morphology. ESWT 1500 at 0.12 am mL/mm2 violence was applied once a week for 3 weeks. Shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) was used to assess function and pain scores of the patients. The evaluations were made prior to and 12 weeks after the ESWT.ResultsThirteen shoulders had type 1 acromion, 11 shoulders type 2 acromion and 6 shoulders type 3 acromion. After ESWT, the SPADI pain score decreased from 16.1 ± 5.1 (7–25) to 10.4 ± 4.9 (1–20); SPADI functional score decreased from 37.3 ± 19.8 (5–70) to 26.7 ± 17.5 (1–60); SPADI total score decreased from 53.4 ± 24.5 (14–95) to 37.1 ± 21.6 (2–74) (p < 0.05; paired t test). In each group better functional outcomes were achieved after ESWT (p < 0.05; paired t test). There were no differences between the groups according to functional outcome both before and after the ESWT treatment (p > 0.05, one way ANOVA test).ConclusionESWT was found to be effective in the treatment of impingement syndrome both for pain and functional outcome in the early period regardless of acromion morphology.Level of evidenceLevel IV, Therapeutic study.

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