Fine-needle sampling of primary neuroendocrine carcinomas of salivary glands: Cytohistological correlations and clinical analysis

Fine-needle samplings of nine examples of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of salivary glands were evaluated for their cytologic characteristics and w ere correlated with the corresponding histological sections. Consistent cyt ological findings were dispersed or loose clusters of poorly differentiated small- to intermediate-sized cells and occasional smudged nuclei. Mild to moderate nuclear pleomorphism, scant or absent cytoplasm, and nuclear moldi ng were also observed. Rosette-like patterns and multinucleated cells were occasionally seen. Immunostaining of one recent case showed positivity for chromogranin and keratin. The differential diagnosis of primary and metasta tic tumors with neuro endocrine features of the salivary glands is discusse d. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.