Diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lung by bronchial brushing:acase report.
BACKGROUND: A diagnosis of pulmonary adenoid cystic carcinoma on exfoliativecytology specimen is very uncommon. The diagnostic cytologic material typically is obtainedfollowing a tissue biopsy. No previous report of the diagnosis has been made on bronchial brushingcytologic material when the procedure preceded a tissue biopsy. CASE: A 44-year-old man who used tosmoke cigarettes and was otherwise well complained of persistent cough for the past 6 months. Achest radiograph revealed a mass lesion in the left hilum. Computed tomography of the chestdisclosed an irregular and spiculated soft tissue mass in the left apical anterior segment.Bronchial brushing via bronchoscope was performed, revealing carcinoma cells consistent with anadenoid cystic carcinoma on cytology. A bronchial biopsy and subsequent left upper lobectomy wereperformed, confirming the diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lung associated with tumorextension to the epithelial surface. CONCLUSION: A diagnosis of bronchial adenoid cystic carcinomais possible on bronchial brushing. However, as a method in exfoliative cytology, the usefulness ofbronchial brushing in diagnosing this tumor is limited by the neoplasm’s proximity to the mucosalsurface and whether the mucosa has been breached.
Chuah,KL　Lim,KH　Koh,MS　Tan,HW　Yap,WM
Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore,Singapore. gzzckl@singnet.com.sg
Carcinoma　 g brushin　 Adenoids Diagnostic
