Fine-needle aspiration cytology and core biopsy of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the uterus: A case report

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm of neural origin. MPNST arising it? the uterus is extremely rare. Its histologic appearance on this anatomical location fins been only rarely reported. A 62-yr-old woman with a previous history of partial hysterectom y presented with a large pelvic mass in the uterine stump. Fine-needle aspi ration (FNA) and cove biopsy were obtained under ultrasonographic guidance, and the diagnosis of MPNST was established. The cytologic and histologic f indings were consistent with a spindle-cell neoplasm suggestive of MPNST. T he tumor cells were focally positive for S-100 protein immunostain, thus pr oviding further support for the neoplasm's nerve sheath differentiation. Th e patient had no history of von Recklinghausen's disease. Resection of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of MPNST To our knowledge, the FNA cytology of MPNST in this unusual location has nor been previously reported. FNA cytol ogy, along with core biopsy and immunochemistry, is a reliable tool in the diagnosis of MPNST. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.