Haemoglobin spherulosis: Fine needle aspiration biopsy of an unusual ocular lesion.

OBJECTIVE: Haemoglobin spherulosis (HS) is a rare lesion occurring post-vitreous haemorrhage that is absent from the cytopathology literature. METHODS: We present the fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy cytological features of a case of HS occurring in a 73-year-old woman. RESULTS: FNA smears of hemorrhagic vitreous fluid showed numerous variably sized smooth glassy spherules ranging from 3-20 µm. Occasional red cells and a rare lymphocyte were observed, but other cell types were absent. Immunohistochemical staining of a cell block showed diffuse positive staining of spherules with haemoglobin A. CONCLUSIONS: HS is a rare lesion that occurs post-subretinal haemorrhage and may be encountered by pathologists examining ocular cytological specimens.

Fine needle aspiration cytopathology of pleomorphic dermal sarcoma.

INTRODUCTION: Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS) is an uncommon cutaneous mesenchymal neoplasm. It is cytomorphologically identical to atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), but differs due to its invasion beyond the dermis. We undertook an examination of our experience with fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy cytology of PDS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our cytopathology files were searched for examples of PDS with concomitant histopathological verification. FNA biopsy smears and cell collection were performed using standard techniques. RESULTS: Seven cases of PDS were retrieved from four different patients (M:F, 1:1; age range: 63-88 years; mean age = 78 years). All patients (57%) presented with a primary tumour with one having an FNA biopsy of two local recurrences and a single distant metastasis. Five aspirates were from the extremities and two from the head/neck. Tumours ranged from 1.0 to 3.5 cm (mean, 2.2 cm). Specific cytological diagnoses were pleomorphic spindle/epithelioid sarcoma (3 cases), PDS (2), AFX (1), and atypical myofibroblastic lesion, query nodular fasciitis (1). Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining from FNA-generated cell blocks in two cases showed non-specific staining with vimentin in both cases; positive CD10, CD68, and INI-1 staining in one case; and smooth muscle actin expression in the other. Multiple negative stains were performed in both of these cases to exclude malignant melanoma, carcinoma, and specific forms of sarcoma. Cytopathology consisted of a mixture of spindle, epithelioid, and bizarre pleomorphic cells. CONCLUSION: Coupled with ancillary IHC stains, FNA biopsy can help recognise PDS as a sarcomatous cutaneous neoplasm, but is unable to distinguish PDS from AFX.