Aspiration cytology of a case of tumoral calcinosis

Tumoural calcinosis of the cervical spine: case report, pathogenesis and differential diagnosis

A rare case of tumoural calcinosis of the cervical spine is presented. Tumoural calcinosis presents with masses of dystrophic calcification in juxta-articular areas. It is very rare in the cervical spine with few cases described in the literature so far. It remains part of the differential diagnosis for any calcified spinal compressive lesion.

Aspiration cytodiagnosis of the breast with abundant acellular calcific material indicative of soft tissue calcinosis (a study of 3 cases)

Calcific deposits in soft tissue are rare and may clinically resemble a tumour. It seems feasible, therefore, to investigate them by the non-invasive technique of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). In this study three cases with extensive accumulation of acellular calcific material in the breast are described in which FNAC was indicative of soft tissue calcinosis. In all cases routine mammogram had shown a partially cystic opacity. All other investigations were normal and no significant family or medical history was present. Cytopreparations in all cases showed only abundant acellular calcium. The patients had no further treatment and on follow up were clinically well with no changes. The cases are interesting, since the cytohistological findings in the aspirate sample appeared to be strongly indicative of soft tissue calcinosis.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the breast in a case with abundant acellular calcific material indicative of soft-tissue calcinosis

Since calcific deposits in soft tissue may clinically resemble a tumor, it is feasible to investigate them by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. In this presentation we describe a case in the breast with extensive accumulation of acellular liquid calcific material which was sampled by the noninvasive technique of FNA, and which was indicative of nonfamilial soft-tissue calcinosis. A 48-yr-old, perimenopausal woman on a routine mammogram showed a well-defined, 1-cm partially cystic opacity in the left upper quadrant of the breast. All other investigations were normal, and no significant family or medical history was present. Under ultrasound guidance FNA was done, and about 1 ml of thick whitish fluid was obtained. Cytopreparations only showed abundant acellular calcium. The patient refused any further treatment and elected to be under the care of her family physician, according to whom she was clinically well with no changes in mammograms for the last 2 yr. The case is interesting, since the cytohistologic findings in aspirate sample appeared to be strongly indicative of soft-tissue calcinosis, which to our knowledge has not been previously reported.