The cytologic features of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma and olfactory neuroblastoma

Andrew M Bellizzi; T David Bourne; Stacey E Mills; Edward B Stelow

doi:10.1309/C00WN1HHJ9AMBJVT

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The cytologic features of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma and olfactory neuroblastoma

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The cytologic features of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma and olfactory neuroblastoma

Andrew M Bellizzi, T David Bourne, Stacey E Mills and Edward B Stelow

American journal of clinical pathology, Vol.129(3), pp.367-376

03/2008

DOI: 10.1309/C00WN1HHJ9AMBJVT

PMID: 18285258

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Abstract

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare, aggressive malignancy of the sinonasal tract. Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is an uncommon neuroectodermal tumor of the superior nasal cavity. Upon examining these lesions, a broad differential diagnosis of poorly differentiated round cell tumors must be considered. The cytologic features of SNUC and ONB have been rarely reported. We searched our cytology files for cases of SNUC and ONB and assessed the following: cellularity, architecture, cytoplasm, cell size, nuclear contours, nucleoli, chromatin, anisonucleosis/anisocytosis, mitotic activity, background, and nuclear crush. Seven cases of SNUC produced hypercellular smears with a single-cell-predominant pattern. Cells were intermediate-sized with irregular nuclear contours and small nucleoli. Nuclear crush and mitotic figures were noted. The background exhibited naked nuclei and karyorrhectic debris. Of 7 cases, 6 (86%) exhibited vacuoles or extracellular lumina. The 10 cases of ONB exhibited cellularity, cellular arrangement, and chromatin similar to SNUC. In contrast, ONBs demonstrated fibrillary cytoplasm and smooth nuclear contours; mitotic figures were generally absent. Homer Wright rosettes were encountered in 9 cases (90%). We believe that in the appropriate clinical context, a specific cytologic diagnosis should be possible.

Immunohistochemistry

Diagnosis, Differential

Nose Neoplasms - pathology

Humans

Middle Aged

Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory - pathology

Male

Biopsy, Fine-Needle

Nasal Cavity - pathology

Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory - metabolism

Aged, 80 and over

Adult

Female

Aged

Carcinoma - metabolism

Carcinoma - pathology

Carcinoma, Small Cell - pathology

Nose Neoplasms - metabolism

Details

Title: Subtitle: The cytologic features of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma and olfactory neuroblastoma
Creators: Andrew M Bellizzi - Department of Pathology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
T David Bourne
Stacey E Mills
Edward B Stelow
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of clinical pathology, Vol.129(3), pp.367-376
Publisher: England
DOI: 10.1309/C00WN1HHJ9AMBJVT
PMID: 18285258
ISSN: 0002-9173
eISSN: 1943-7722
Language: English
Date published: 03/2008
Academic Unit: Pathology
Record Identifier: 9984047780102771

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