CYTOLOGIC FEATURES OF HEMANGIOBLASTOMA - COMPARISON WITH MENINGIOMA, ANAPLASTIC ASTROCYTOMA AND RENAL-CELL CARCINOMA

OBJECTIVE: To compare the features of intraoperative smears of hemangi oblastomas with those of tumors with which it is most likely to be con fused: meningiomas, anaplastic astrocytomas and renal cell carcinomas. STUDY DESIGN: Examples of hemangioblastomas with high-quality intraop erative smears were retrieved from the files Oo University Hospital, U niversity of Southern California and Los Angeles County-University of Southern California. The characteristics of these smears were compared to those of meningiomas, anaplastic astrocytomas and renal cell carci nomas by two observers. RESULTS: Smears of hemangioblastomas were cell ular but remarkably cohesive. Cytoplasmic borders were indistinct. he nuclei were hyperchromatic and mildly pleomorphic and had a relatively evenly dispersed chromatin pattern. Hemosiderin was invariably presen t. Smears of meningiomas, anaplastic astrocytomas and renal cell carci nomas were more discohesive than those of hemagioblastomas. Smears of hemangioblastomas lacked the cytoplasmic fibrillarity of those of astr ocytic neoplasms and distinct cytoplasmic borders seen in smears of re nal cell carcinoma. The nuclear features of the four neoplasms studied also differed. CONCLUSION: Smears ajc hemangioblastomas have characte ristic features that differ reliably from those of meningiomas, anapla stic astrocytoma and renal cell cinoma, neoplasms that commonly enter the differential with hemangioblastoma. Thus, a cytologic smear prepar ation made at the time of frozen section may be an invaluable aid in t he intraoperative diagnosis of hemangioblastoma.