Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of pilomatrixoma: report of 14 casesand review of the literature

We describe 14 cases of pilomatrixoma which were diagnosed preoperatively o n FNA cytology. In contrast to the literature, our series showed male prepo nderance and some of the tumours in unusual locations such as thigh and bre ast. In three patients the rumours were larger than 5 cm. The clinical diag nosis varied from tumour not otherwise defined to sarcoma. The cytologic pr esentation had features which allowed a correct diagnosis in all cases and included basaloid cells surrounded by delicate pink fibres, shadow cells, g iant cells, naked nuclei and calcium deposits. It is concluded that the FNA cytology of pilomatrixoma is characteristic and will allow a conclusive di agnosis even in cases with an aberrant clinical presentation.