Aspiration cytology and core biopsy of a carcinoid tumor arising in a retrorectal cyst: A case report

• Published in: Diagnostic cytopathology 2000-06, Vol.22 (6), p.376-378
• Main Authors: Oyama, Karen, Embi, Colleen, Rader, Anne E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers, Tumor - analysis; Biopsy, Needle; carcinoid; Carcinoid Tumor - chemistry; Carcinoid Tumor - complications; Carcinoid Tumor - diagnosis; Carcinoid Tumor - surgery; Cysts - chemistry; Cysts - complications; Cysts - congenital; Cysts - surgery; cytology; Hamartoma - chemistry; Hamartoma - complications; Hamartoma - diagnosis; Hamartoma - surgery; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Middle Aged; Rectal Diseases - complications; Rectal Diseases - congenital; Rectal Diseases - metabolism; Rectal Diseases - surgery; Rectal Neoplasms - chemistry; Rectal Neoplasms - complications; Rectal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Rectal Neoplasms - surgery; retrorectal cyst; retrorectal cystic hamartoma; tailgut cyst; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 8755-1039; 1097-0339
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0339(200006)22:6<376::AID-DC9>3.0.CO;2-6

Retrorectal cysts are uncommon lesions of uncertain histogenesis, and primary carcinoid tumors arising in retrorectal cysts are extremely rare. We present the case of a 52‐yr‐old man who had a 22‐cm partially cystic, partially solid mass in the presacral space. A computed tomography‐guided fine‐needle aspiration of the mass was performed. The smears contained abundant keratinous debris and rare groups of tumor cells. The tumor cells were cuboidal, with slightly granular cytoplasm and centrally located nuclei with speckled chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed strong reactivity for chromogranin and keratin, and focal reactivity for synaptophysin and neuron‐specific enolase. The cytological diagnosis of a carcinoid arising in a tail‐gut cyst was confirmed histologically. This is the first reported case of a carcinoid arising in a retrorectal cyst diagnosed preoperatively by cytology. This diagnosis is possible in the setting of consistent clinical, radiographic, and cytological findings. Diagn. Cytopathol. 22:376–378, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.