Littoral cell angioma of the spleen diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy

Diagn Cytopathol. 2011 May;39(5):318-22. doi: 10.1002/dc.21384.

Abstract

Littoral cell angiomas are uncommon primary vascular neoplasms that arise from the sinusoidal lining or littoral cells of the splenic red pulp, and hence are unique to the spleen. We report a case of littoral cell angioma in 34-year-old woman, which was diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB). The cytologic features of littoral cell angiomas have been described only in three previous case reports, one of which was a bench-top aspirate. In our case, we have utilized the fine-needle aspiration samples obtained by a linear endoscopic ultrasound examination for establishing the diagnosis. The characteristic cytologic features identified on the smears along with immunohistochemical analysis performed on the compact cellblock prepared from the aspirate aided in the confirmation of the diagnosis. We suggest that EUS-FNAB is a safe and reliable method in the diagnosis of vascular lesions of the spleen.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Endosonography / methods
  • Female
  • Hemangioma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemangioma* / metabolism
  • Hemangioma* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Splenic Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Splenic Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Splenic Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor

Supplementary concepts

  • Littoral cell angioma of the spleen