FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY OF PERIPHERAL LYMPH-NODE CRYPTOCOCCOSIS - A REPORT OF 3 CASES

Aspiration cytology of lymph Modes allows rapid diagnosis of dissemina ted cryptococcosis. Three cases of lymph node cryptococcosis diagnosed by aspiration cytology in three patients with acquired immunodeficien cy syndrome are presented. The organisms were easily seen with a routi ne modified Wright and Papanicolaou stain as variably sized yeasts, 5- 15 mu m in greatest diameter, with thick capsules. Many of the organis ms showed narrow base budding. In one case occasional pseudohyphae wer e observed. The diagnoses were confirmed easily with mucicarmine stain .