DIAGNOSIS OF MASTOCYTOSIS BY FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY

We report a case of a 28-yr-old man in whom mastocytosis was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of enlarged periaortic lymph nodes. F NA cytology revealed numerous mast cells characterized by cells having round to oval eccentrically placed nuclei and associated coarsely gra nular cytoplasm, most conspicuous on Diff-Quik- and Giemsa-stained sme ars. Lymphocytes, histiocytes, and occasional plasma cells were presen t in the background. We believe this paper to be the first reported ca se of mastocytosis diagnosed by FNA. This case demonstrates the utilit y of FNA in evaluating lymphadenopathy occurring in mastocytosis. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.