Squash smear findings of spherical amyloid in pituitary prolactinoma. A case report

Acta Cytol. 2004 May-Jun;48(3):447-50. doi: 10.1159/000326402.

Abstract

Background: Pituitary prolactinoma containing spherical amyloid is rare. Squash smear findings of spherical amyloid in pituitary prolactinoma are characteristic.

Case: A 25-year-old woman presented with a pituitary tumor. The intraoperative squash smear showed abundant, homogeneous, eosinophilic material with multiple prominent striations. The scattered atypical cells in the periphery contained an irregular, bizarre nucleus; coarse chromatin; occasional prominent nucleoli; rare cytoplasm; and prolactin immunoreactivity.

Conclusion: The characteristic squash smear findings should be helpful in the diagnosis of this rare tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amyloid / analysis*
  • Birefringence
  • Congo Red / metabolism
  • Cytodiagnosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Care
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Microscopy, Polarization
  • Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Prolactinoma / chemistry*
  • Prolactinoma / pathology*
  • Radiography
  • Specimen Handling

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Congo Red