Fine‐needle aspiration of chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the skull: Report of a case in an 11‐year‐old girl

Abstract

We describe an unusual case of chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the skull in an 11-yr-old girl in whom a preoperative diagnosis was made by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, followed by histologic confirmation of tissue biopsy and the surgically resected specimen. FNA cytology revealed pleomorphic oval cells with prominent nucleoli along with spindle cells, tumor giant cells, and a chondromyxoid background. The cell block of the aspirated material showed osteoid associated with the malignant cells. Immunocytochemical stains revealed S-100 and vimentin positivity; actin, myoglobin, and cytokeratin stains were negative. Electron microscopy revealed neoplastic cells with chondrocytic differentiation. This case demonstrates the value of FNA biopsy combined with immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies performed on the aspirated material in diagnosing osteosarcoma from an unusual location such as the base of the skull. Diagn Cytopathol 1996;14:51–55. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.