Cystic hepatic metastases in treatment naïve neuroendocrine tumor: Cytomorphology clubbed with cell block immunocytochemistry clinches the diagnosis

Abstract

Cystic hepatic lesions encompass a vast spectrum of infectious, non‐neoplastic, and neoplastic entities. Most hepatic cysts are benign and asymptomatic, requiring no active intervention. However, symptomatic and malignant cysts need proper evaluation and specific treatment. An accurate preoperative diagnosis is pivotal for patient management. At times, these lesions may mimic, especially symptomatology and radiology, leading to a diagnostic ordeal. We herein present a case of a patient with cystic liver lesions in a treatment naïve neuroendocrine tumor that was a diagnostic dilemma on radiology. Low cellularity of cytology smears made the diagnosis challenging, and cell block immunocytochemistry finally clinched the diagnosis. A timely diagnosis provided on cytology fuelled further work‐up, the discovery of primary tumor, and initiation of appropriate therapy.