Cytomorphological spectrum of subcutaneous and intramuscular cysticercosis: A study of 22 cases

Abstract

Background:Cysticercosis is more common than usually thought. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) plays an important role in prompt recognition of this disease.Aims:To study the role of FNAC in the diagnosis of cysticercosis.Materials and Methods:Twenty-two patients with subcutaneous and intramuscular nodules, who were clinically diagnosed as tuberculous lymphadenitis, reactive lymphadenitis, lipoma, neurofibroma and cysticercosis were included in the present study.Results:In nine cases, a definitive diagnosis of cysticercosis was obtained in the form of fragments of parasite bladder wall and, biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. In the rest 13 cases, larval fragments could not be identified on the aspirates and the diagnosis of parasitic inflammation was suggested on the basis of other cytomorphological findings. Follow-up biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cysticercosis.Conclusions:FNAC in cysticercosis is a low-cost outpatient procedure. The cytological diagnosis is quite straightforward in cases where the actual parasite structure is identified in the smears. However, in other cases, presence of eosinophils, histiocytes which may be in palisaded clusters or not, a typical granular dirty background, etc., are the features which should always alert the pathologist to this possibility.

Cytological diagnosis of cysticercosis: Role of FNAC with On-Site evaluation

“…The cyst wall is multilayered, 100–200 mm thick and covered by microvilli. The outer, cuticular layer appears smooth and hyalinized and is frequently raised in projections [3]. Beneath the tegument is a row of tegumental cells.…”

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of cysticercosis in submandibular gland

“…The study conducted by Gill et al . [ 2 ] emphasized the role of FNAC in diagnosing cysticercosis in 22 patients who presented with painless subcutaneous and intramuscular nodules. Delgado-Azañero et al .…”

“…It is endemic in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. [ 2 ] The subcutaneous tissues, brain, muscles, heart, liver and lungs are more frequently affected; however, intraoral and salivary gland involvement is rare. We report a case of cysticercosis of submandibular gland diagnosed by FNAC emphasizing cytomorphological features which aid in diagnosis, thus obviates the need of open biopsy.…”

An unusual eyelid mass of cysticercosis: A twist in the tale

“…[ 4 ] Fine-needle aspiration cytology may additionally be an effective mode of diagnosis of subcutaneous cysticercosis. [ 5 ] The clinical relevance of such subcutaneous lesions itself may be less, however, they may forebode the presence of cysticercosis of the central nervous system. [ 5 ] Computed tomography (CT) imaging and MRI can confirm the diagnosis and additionally help to rule out neurocysticercosis.…”

“…[ 5 ] The clinical relevance of such subcutaneous lesions itself may be less, however, they may forebode the presence of cysticercosis of the central nervous system. [ 5 ] Computed tomography (CT) imaging and MRI can confirm the diagnosis and additionally help to rule out neurocysticercosis. [ 6 ] This is of further relevance because medical treatment of cysticercosis before screening for central nervous system involvement may cause a paradoxical reaction that may impair the outcome of cysticercosis during the treatment with antihelminthic drugs.…”