Scrape cytology of elastofibroma - Report of a case with diagnostic cytologic features

BACKGROUND: Elastofibroma is a benign, soft tissue tumor that occurs most f requently in the subscapular area in elderly people. To the best of our kno wledge, in only two cases has the cytology been reported. The aim of this r eport is to describe the characteristic cytologic findings of elastofibroma and to discuss the usefulness of elastin stain in scrape smears. CASE: A 72-year-old female had bilateral masses in the lower subscapular ar ea. Scrape smears from a cut surface of the resected masses revealed abunda nt, "wormlike" or "braidlike" material with central cores with Papanicolaou stain in an intraoperative consultation. Various-sized, petaloid or crysta lloid globules were also present. Those elastic fibers were strongly positi ve for elastin stain in cytologic preparations. CONCLUSION: Elastofibroma can be diagnosed cytologically, and elastin-stain ed, scrape cytologic preparation is especially useful in such a case.