FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY OF PRIMARY ISOLATED SPLENIC BLASTOMYCES-DERMATITIDIS - A CASE-REPORT

BACKGROUND: Blastomyces dermatitidis is a dimorphic fungus; its usual port of entry is the lung. Although any organ system can be secondaril y involved, nonpulmonary sites of primary infection have been reported . CASE: This is the first reported case of primary isolated splenic B dermatitidis. The diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytology was examined by comparing it with the only previously reported case of primary (not isolated) splenic B dermatitidis. CONCLUSION: In patient s with splenic involvement by B dermatitidis, cytologic evaluation can be prompt and diagnostic. FNA biopsy in patients with splenomegaly is safe and well tolerated.