Ascitic fluid cytology of yolk sac tumor of the ovary

Abstract

Background : Yolk sac tumors rarely occur in ascitic fluid cytology specimens. We analyzed cytologic features in such cases and compared them to those in imprint cytology of resected specimens.
Case : Ascitic fluid cytology specimens were obtained from two patients (10 and 42 years old) with yolk sac tumor of the ovary. Hemorrhagic, necrotic background was observed in the imprint cytology, whereas histiocytes were seen in the ascitic fluid cytology. Irregular cohesive three-dimensional cell balls were noted in both the imprint specimens and the ascitic fluid specimens. Channels folded over several times like a long, narrow balloon pinched at its jonts, i.e. “balloon animal”-like cell clusters, acute-angled cytological atypia, and hyaline globules were also observed in both specimens. Regarding the nucleoli, the imprint cytology showed conspicuous nucleoli while the ascitic fluid cytology showed inconspicuous nucleoli.
Conclusion : Important findings in diagnosing yolk sac tumors in ascetic fluid specimens are so-called “balloon-animal”-like cell clusters, acute-angled cytological atypia, and hyaline globules, in conjunction with clinical information.