1996 Volume 35 Issue 2 Pages 77-80
In order to clarify the cytologic features of a hepatic hemangioma, ultrasonically guided aspiration cytology was performed in 17 lesions of hepatic hemangioma.
Cell clusters of fibrovascular tissue were observed against a backgroud of numerous red blood cells. Few liver cells were observed, because we aspirated at the point at which the tip of needle had been inserted into the tumor. Cell clusters were divided into two groups. First, the clusters were characterized by sheets of spindle-shaped cells. They contained elongated or round nuclei. Cells with elongated nuclei were considered to be endothelial cells. Lumina were observed in the cell clusters, indicating a vascular nature. Second, the clusters consisted of cells containing round nuclei without elongated nuclei. In some clusters, factor VIII revealed that the cells with elongated nuclei were endothelial cells.
