Cytology of cervical chordoma in cerebrospinal fluid from a child. A case report

Acta Cytol. 1995 Jul-Aug;39(4):766-9.

Abstract

The cytologic findings on cerebrospinal fluid examination of cervical chordoma in a 2-year-old girl are presented. The major cell type was a small, isolated, hyperchromatic cell with sharply defined nuclear membrane and granular cytoplasm. However, the characteristic cell of this neoplasm, the so-called physaliferous cell with typical bubbly cytoplasm, was also noted. Cytologic findings were compared to biopsy findings, with a good correlation of tumor morphology. Clinical follow-up revealed unusually aggressive tumor behavior, and the patient died a year later despite intensive chemotherapy. The differential diagnosis of the condition is also discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chordoma / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Chordoma / diagnosis
  • Chordoma / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / pathology