Nontyrosine crystalloids in salivary gland lesions: Report of seven cases with fine-needle aspiration cytology and follow-up surgical pathology

We report a series of seven patients who underwent fine-needle aspiration ( FNA) for clinically apparent parotid gland lesions. In all seven cases, num erous to abundant polyhedral, multifaceted (nontyrosine) crystalloids were noted in the background of scanty cellular specimens composed predominantly of oncocytic cells. Subsequent surgical excision showed that three of the seven glands revealed sialolithiasis and sialadenitis without evidence of n eoplasia. The histology of the remaining four cases consisted of two Warthi n's tumor one oncocytic papillary cystadenoma, and one cellular benign mixe d tumor. In all seven cases the nontyrosine crystalloids were found in high est concentrations in cystic spaces lined with oncocytic metaplastic cells. We conclude that nontyrosine cystalloids can be associated with both neopl astic and nonneoplastic salivary gland disease, and they may be a product o f oncocytic cell secretion. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2000;22:167-171. (C) 2000 Wi ley-Liss, Inc.