Amylase crystalloids on fine-needle aspiration of the salivary gland

Abstract

Amylase crystalloids is one of the several types of crystalline structures that can be seen in non-neoplastic and neoplastic salivary gland lesions. Here, a 60-year-old woman with an infraauricular mass existing for two years is presented. On ultrasound a cystic mass, 1 cm in diameter was detected in the tail of right parotid gland. Clear and mucoid fluid was obtained from the mass by fine-needle aspiration. Smears showed numerous rhomboid, rectangular or rod-shaped, non-birefringent crystalloid structures and a few acinar cell groups in a mucoid background rich in polymorphonuclear leucocytes and lymphoctes. It was reported as cystic sialadenitis with amylase crystalloids. In the four-month follow-up, there was no recurrence of the mass. Since encountered only in benign salivary gland lesions in the literature as in our case, observation of amylase crystalloids on fine-needle aspiration smears indicates a benign lesion and avoids unnecessary surgery.