China Science

Data from the National Cytology Proficiency Testing Update show that as ofJanuary 31, 2006, 9% of 12,786 examinees failed the test on the first attempt. For the secondattempt, the failure rate among those who had initially failed remained surprisingly similar, 10%,although common sense would dictate that it should be much higher among those who have alreadyfailed the test once and should have lower professional skills. What is the reason for thisremarkable improvement in performance? (more…)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of 3-D vs. 2-D virtual microscopy asadjuncts to education and assessment in cervical cytology. (more…)

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the cytopathologic outcome of lesions detected onpositron emission tomography (PET) scan. STUDY DESIGN: Cases with fine needle aspiration (FNA)performed because of a PET-positive lesion over an 18-month period were reviewed. Correlation withthe standard uptake value (SUV) (more…)

BACKGROUND: Amelanotic melanoma can mimic a wide variety of epithelial andnonepithelial malignant tumors. Varied cytomorphology of melanoma has been described on exfoliativeand fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). (more…)

BACKGROUND: An unusual case of anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid arisingfrom a metastatic focus of papillary carcinoma. CASE: The tumor affected a 69-year-old woman with ahistory of total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma 4 years previously. She presentedwith a rapidly enlarging neck mass that histologically simulated chondroblastoma. (more…)

BACKGROUND: Although the histologic features of malignant peripheral nervesheath tumor (MPNST) have been described, the cytologic features of primary pulmonary MPNST have notbeen reported in the literature. CASE: We report a case of primary pulmonary MPNST in a 78-year-oldman. Follow-up computed tomography of colon cancer, renal cancer, penile cancer and gingival cancerrevealed a nodular lesion, 12 mm in diameter, in the right upper lobe of the lung. (more…)

BACKGROUND: Mastocytosis is an abnormal proliferation of mast cells and theirsubsequent accumulation in various organs. Diagnosis of mast cell disease relies on properidentification of abnormal mast cells. CASE: A 55-year-old man presented with a history of fever forseveral months, associated with night sweats, involuntary 20lb weight loss, (more…)

BACKGROUND: To describe the cytologic, histologic and immunohistochemicalfindings of a case of epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) arising from a pleomorphic adenoma(PA) of the parotid with both malignant epithelial and myoepithelial components. CASE: A 29-year-oldfemale presented with a 1.5 x 1.5-cm, palpable mass of the left parotid of 7-8 months’ durationwith recent enlargement and pain. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) revealed biphasic epithelial(small cell) and myoepithelial (large/clear cell) clusters arranged in a pseudopapillary andtrabecular pattern with abundant hyaline material with many naked nuclei, together with areastypical of pleomorphic adenoma (PA) was noted. (more…)