Cytological spectrum of subcutaneous nodules, a 3 year study

Abstract

A wide range of inflammatory as well as neoplastic lesions can present as nodular, soft, mobile subcutaneous swellings all over the body. FNAC(fine needle aspiration cytology) is considered to be the first reliable technique for diagnosing them. To study the cytomorphological patterns of subcutaneous nodular lesions and correlate with histopathology. A three year prosective study of all palpable subcutaneous swellings presenting to cytology section with histopathological correlation.:The data are expressed in descriptive statistics measures such as percentages and proportions. A continuous data was presented as mean and standard deviation (SD). Out of 1427 total cases, most common were benign lesions (97.4%) including lipomas (35.24%) followed by benign spindle cell lesions (17.02%). Malignant cases comprised only 2.7%. Many rare lesions like gouty tophi, calcinosis cutis, filariasis, myositis ossificans were also encountered. Biopsy correlation could be done in 12% of cases. Small subcutaneous swellings though appear benign in most of the cases, can be due to an interesting and grave aetiology which must be kept in mind of clinicians as well as cytopathologists.

Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of cutaneous and subcutaneous swellings

“…This was also observed in studies by other authors. 1,5,[7][8][9][10][11][12] In our study, next common among benign neoplastic lesions were benign appendageal tumors; similar to few studies. 8,12 However, in some studies, benign spindle cell lesions were the second common benign neoplastic lesion.…”

“…8,12 However, in some studies, benign spindle cell lesions were the second common benign neoplastic lesion. 1,10 Metastatic carcinoma cases were highest among the malignant lesions, comparable to study by Gupta et al 5 Squamous cell carcinoma cases were overall highest among the malignant lesions. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common malignant tumor in studies by Dash et al and Bode et al 8,9 Skin primary malignancy and metastasis both can present as a nodule.…”

“…5,[7][8][9] Maximum cases in our study were in the age group of 21-40 years which is comparable to other studies. 1,5 Epidermal inclusion cyst was the most common non neoplastic lesion as seen in many studies. 1,5,[7][8][9][10][11] Inflammatory lesions were the next commonest among non neoplastic lesions, also seen in other studies.…”

“…1,5 Epidermal inclusion cyst was the most common non neoplastic lesion as seen in many studies. 1,5,[7][8][9][10][11] Inflammatory lesions were the next commonest among non neoplastic lesions, also seen in other studies. 7,10,11 Lipoma accounted for maximum cases in our study and is also the commonest benign neoplastic lesion diagnosed in our study.…”

“…A wide range of inflammatory as well as neoplastic lesions can present as cutaneous and subcutaneous swellings all over the body. 1,2 Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a simple, fast, and inexpensive technique with high sensitivity and specificity in the evaluation of these masses. 3 It can be effectively employed to diagnose nature of lesion, helps to distinguish between neoplastic and reactive process likely to resolve spontaneously or with conservative treatment.…”