Atypical chondroma of the cricoid cartilage: Fine-needle aspiration cytologic and histopathologic findings

Chondroma of the laryngeal skeleton is a rare, benign neoplasm manifested e ither as a neck mass or; it situated within the airway as slowly progressiv e obstruction, hoarseness, or dyspnea. The most common sire is the posterio r plate of the cricoid cartilage. An a typical perichondrial chondroma aris ing from the anterior plate of the cricoid cartilage membrane as a neck mas s in a young female i.e presented. The diagnosis was made on a fine-needle aspiration of the mass and subsequently confirmed by histologic examination of the excised mass. Although rare, cartilaginous tumors of the laryngeal skeleton call manifest as a neck mass, and the diagnosis can be made by fin e-needle aspiration biopsy in combination with radiographic and clinical ex aminations. Therefore, the existence and inclusion of these tumors in the d ifferential diagnosis of neck masses by aspiration biopsy should be conside red by clinicians and pathologists, and especially cytopathologists, when c artilaginous components are encountered. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.