Fine needle aspiration cytology in cutaneous and subcutaneous endometriosis

Acta Cytol. 2007 May-Jun;51(3):380-4. doi: 10.1159/000325751.

Abstract

Objective: To study the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of cutaneous and subcutaneous endometriosis.

Study design: We present 7 cases of endometriosis in abdominal wall, inguinal region and perineum diagnosed by FNAC. All cases were confirmed with histologic follow-up. Cytologic and histologic material was prepared using standard methods.

Results: The smears were highly cellular, showing a hemorrhagic background with hemosiderin-laden macrophages and sheets of epithelial and stromal cells. Occasionally, these cellular components were closely associated.

Conclusion: FNAC is useful in the diagnosis of cutaneous and subcutaneous endometriosis, providing a rapid and accurate preoperative diagnosis.

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Wall / pathology*
  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Endometriosis / pathology*
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Perineum / pathology*
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Skin Diseases / pathology*
  • Stromal Cells / pathology