Diagnosis of feline mesenchymal nasal hamartoma by squash preparation cytology

Abstract

Background: Feline Mesenchymal Nasal Hamartoma (MNH) is a rare benign tumorlike lesion of the sinonasal tract affecting young cats.Objectives: This study aimed to determine the diagnostic significance of osteoblastlike (OB-L) and osteoclast-like cells (OC-L) in squash preparation cytology from endoscopic biopsies. Methods:A 5-year database was retrospectively reviewed and included 109 cases of which 24 were diagnosed as MNH by histopathology. Slides were examined by two cytologists (one experienced and one inexperienced in nasal and squash cytology) in a double-blind study. The inexperienced cytologist counted OB-L and OC-L in 500 intact nucleated cells. The experienced cytologist assigned samples to four categories for OB-L (0, 1-5, 6-10, >10/field) and OC-L (0, 1-2, 3-5, >5/field). Results:The presence of OB-L and OC-L was significantly associated (P < 0.001) with the histologic diagnosis of MNH. Receiver operating characteristic curves from the counts by the inexperienced cytologist revealed 3/500 OB-L and 2/500 OC-L as the best cut-offs for the diagnosis of MNH. Those of the experienced cytologist evaluation revealed that all the MNHs presented more than 10 OB-L/field and 3 or more OC-L/field. Both cytologists detected each cell type in all MNHs with an overall concordance of 0.93. Conclusions:The presence of OB-L and OC-L is a consistent finding in MNH, and thus, represents a reliable cytologic diagnostic criterion. The described methods are applicable in routine in-clinic laboratory settings and are easy to apply at any expertise level. Further prospective studies are needed to assess the accuracy of the proposed cut-off values.| 629 unknown, but a congenital origin or a genetic predisposition has been suggested, 3,8 and upper airway infections and environmental factors could be predisposing factors. 4,9 Mesenchymal Nasal Hamartomas can be locally aggressive and uncontrolled growth can lead to nasal profile modifications associated with symptoms of nasal obstruction or occlusion. 2,4,5,7,8 Imaging techniques are useful in localizing the lesions and determining the extent of local infiltration.In particular, endoscopy provides direct visualization of the choanae and the nasopharynx and allows the selection of an appropriate site for mass sampling. Moreover, endoscopic biopsies collected for histopathologic examination can also be used to make squash preparations for cytologic evaluation. [10][11][12] Even though spontaneous regression of the lesions have been described, 7,9 either a traditional surgical approach 4,7 or a minimally invasive endoscopic debulking technique by using diode lasers or grasping forceps are advised. 7 A rapid cytologic diagnosis would allow the endoscopic removal during the same anesthetic session.During a routine endoscopic cytologic preparation, one of the authors (EB) noted the frequent occurrence of two particular cell types in squash preparations from MNHs. This observation led to the hypothesis of an association between these cells and the diagnosis of MNH. Similar cells were p...

Usefulness of squash preparation cytology in the diagnosis of canine urinary bladder carcinomas

“…Squash prep cytology may allow an easy assessment of inflammatory infiltration and cell atypia, relaying a practical message to clinicians. Squash prep cytology has already been reported to be useful in diagnosing nervous system, 22 nasal cavity, 23,24 and gastric lesions 21 in dogs. In people, squash prep cytology is mainly used to intraoperatively diagnose brain lesions, 27 demonstrating high sensitivity, specificity, and overall diagnostic accuracy.…”

“…21 Usually, endoscopic biopsies are crushed between two slides and pulled apart without smearing, resulting in monolayer distribution of cells on both slides quickly ready to be stained and microscopically evaluated. Squash prep cytology has already been reported to be useful in diagnosing nervous system, 22 nasal cavity, 23,24 and gastric lesions. 21 Using a histopathologic diagnosis as the golden standard, the aims of the present study were (1) to investigate the diagnostic performance of squash prep cytology in the diagnosis of urinary bladder malignancies and (2) to evaluate the diagnostic performance of several cytomorphologic features.…”

“…Usually, endoscopic biopsies are crushed between two slides and pulled apart without smearing, resulting in monolayer distribution of cells on both slides quickly ready to be stained and microscopically evaluated. Squash prep cytology has already been reported to be useful in diagnosing nervous system, 22 nasal cavity, 23,24 and gastric lesions 21 …”

Presence of bronchial nodules, younger age, and heavier body weight are associated with a diagnosis of eosinophilic lung disease in dogs with cough

“…In some of the dogs with bronchial nodules, squash preparation cytology of the nodules was performed after sampling with 1.2-or 1.8-mm fenestrated oval biopsy forceps (Storz oval biopsy forceps 60175ZE and 60001 KL) using a technique previously described. 17 Cytologic findings for nodules were classified as eosinophilic inflammation or noneosinophilic inflammation. All cytology slides of all the nodules were interpreted by the same veterinarian (EB).…”

Multiple biliary duct hamartomas in a cat resulting in a hepatic mass: A case report

“…The majority of animal case reports are classified as vascular hamartomas (Starost, 2007 ). Additional types of hamartomas described in the veterinary literature include dermis, abomasal smooth muscle, ocular tissue, nasal cavity, retinal astrocytes, myocardium, pulmonary alveoli and ovarian interstitial cells (Bottero et al., 2018 ; Hwang et al., 2021 ; Starost, 2007 ).…”