Foetal rhabdomyoma with fine-needle aspirate cytology correlation

Wan WK, Sng TY, Goh HK, Hwang SG
Correspondence: Dr Wan Wei Keat, ctach21@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
A case of intermediate form of foetal rhabdomyoma with cytological correlation is reported in a ten-year-old girl who presented with a lump in the right neck region. Fine-needle aspirate of the lump was performed. Cytological findings were that of spindled cells and rhabdomyoblasts with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. The lesion was subsequently excised. Histology showed a well-circumscribed cellular lesion composed of oval- to spindle-shaped cells. There were interspersed immature skeletal muscle cells with uniform nuclei and eosinophilic tapered cytoplasm and ganglion-like rhabdomyoblasts. No marked cellular atypia or prominent mitoses was noted. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells showed positivity for muscle specific actin, myoglobin and myogenin. There was focal positivity for desmin. The patient showed no evidence of local recurrence or metastasis after a 32-month follow-up. This is believed to be the first case report of cytological findings in an intermediate form of foetal rhabdomyoma.

Keywords: foetal rhabdomyoma, fine-needle aspiration cytology, intermediate foetal rhabdomyoma, neck mass, rhabdomyoma
Singapore Med J 2009; 50(4): e138-e140