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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · J Lab Physicians 2016; 8(01): 058-061
DOI: 10.4103/0974-2727.176231
Case Report

Intraoperative Squash Cytologic Features of Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma

Jitendra Nasit
Department of Pathology, Medical College and Sir Sayajirao General Hospital, Baroda, Gujarat, India
,
Viren Vaghsiya
Department of Pathology, Medical College and Sir Sayajirao General Hospital, Baroda, Gujarat, India
,
Srilaxmi Hiryur
Department of Pathology, Medical College and Sir Sayajirao General Hospital, Baroda, Gujarat, India
,
Smita Patel
Department of Pathology, Medical College and Sir Sayajirao General Hospital, Baroda, Gujarat, India
› Author Affiliations Financial support and sponsorship: Nil.
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ABSTRACT

Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) is a low grade (WHO Grade I) tumor, usually seen in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex and commonly occurs at a lateral ventricular location. Intraoperative squash cytologic features can help in differentiating SEGA from gemistocytic astrocytoma (GA), giant cell glioblastoma and ependymoma, in proper clinical context and radiological findings, which may alter the surgical management. Here, we present a case of SEGA with squash cytologic findings and a review of cytology findings of SEGA presently available in the literature. Loose cohesive clusters of large polygonal cells containing an eccentric nucleus, evenly distributed granular chromatin, distinct to prominent nucleoli, and moderate to the abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm in a hair-like fibrillar background are the key cytologic features of SEGA. Other important features are moderate anisonucleosis and frequent binucleation and multinucleation. The absence of mitoses, necrosis, and vascular endothelial proliferation are important negative features. Other consistent features are cellular smears, few dispersed cells, few spindly strap-like cells, rare intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusion, and perivascular pseudorosettes.

Keywords

Squash cytology - subependymal giant cell astrocytoma - tuberous sclerosis


Publication History

Article published online:
19 April 2020

© 2016.

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