Fine needle aspiration cytology in dermatology: a clinicopathological appraisal

Abstract

The possible clinical value of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has been assessed prospectively in 60 patients presenting with cutaneous lesions. The cytological diagnosis in each case has been compared with the clinical diagnosis and biopsy result. The principal potential use appears to be the rapid confirmation of the clinical diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma to allow immediate referral for radiotherapy or plastic surgery. FNAC could also prove useful when the clinical diagnosis of malignant melanoma is in doubt and primary diagnostic excision is difficult or disfiguring. Accurate distinction could usually be made between benign and malignant lymphoproliferative conditions, but further classification was difficult. Metastatic malignancy could be diagnosed with ease and other characteristic cytological appearances were seen with naevocellular naevi, pyogenic granuloma and pilar cysts. However, there were limitations in achieving an accurate diagnosis in approximately half the cases, and consequently, FNAC cannot be regarded in general as a substitute for histological diagnosis.

Cytologic features of angioleiomyoma: Cytologic‐histologic study of 10 cases

“…This strategy helps to plan adequate treatment by selecting borderline/malignant lesions or to exclude malignancies. 10 Although FNA is most useful in the detection of malignant lesions, particularly skin metastases 9,11,12 and basal cell carcinomas, 9 it can also be used to rule out malignancy as well as to histotype benign lesions. 6,7,14 This requires, however, experience with soft tissue and skin FNA, as well as the use of ancillary studies.…”

On the utility and limitations of fine-needle aspiration of palpable lesions located in the hand

“…3). (14) WCD ( Herpes ( (6), WCD (4) BS (10) Ganglion cyst (10) Nodular tenosynovitis (4), WCD (12) BS (16) Nodular tenosynovitis (16)…”

“…Difficulties related to these differential diagnoses have been discussed elsewhere. 2,5,12 Virus-induced cutaneous lesions such as herpes and molluscum contagiosum are quite easily recognized by the experienced cytopathologist, particularly when he or she is familiar with the clinical aspect of such lesions. The cytologic features of both conditions are well-known.…”

Ultrasound and Fine-Needle Aspiration in Dermatology, Underuse of Minimally Invasive, Efficient Diagnostic Tools

“…In contrast, the use of ultrasound and FNA in patients with melanoma, particularly in comparison with sentinel lymph node biopsy, continues to be debated . Generally, the utility of ultrasound and FNA in dermatology has been examined in studies focusing on specific anatomic sites and specific clinical entities and in the evaluation of primary skin tumors . Although ultrasound in dermatology has been deemed experimental, many previous studies examining FNA in dermatology are significantly outdated.…”