Abstract
Background : Extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL), is a rare subtype of malignant lymphoma. We describe the cytological findings of ENKL cells that appeared in the aqueous humor.
Case : A male in his 5th decade of life who was diagnosed as having ENKL was referred to our hospital for systemic therapy. Ophthalmic examination revealed turbid aqueous humor in the anterior chamber of the left eye. A cytological specimen was prepared by the liquid-based cytology (LBC) method. Atypical lymphocytes with cleaved nuclei and elongated cytoplasm on one side were observed, appearing like “hand-mirror cells”. Immunocytochemical analysis showed positive staining of the tumor cells for CD3 and CD56. In situ hybridization (ISH) analysis of the cytological specimen revealed a positive result for EBER-1. These phenotypes were identical to those in the histopathology specimens.
Conclusion : Tumor cells of ENKL can appear as hand-mirror cells in cytological specimens. Immunocytochemistry and ISH are necessary to make a final diagnosis. We can perform these studies even in small-volume specimens obtained by the LBC method, as in this case.
