2005 Volume 44 Issue 4 Pages 224-229
Background: We report a case of primary carcinoid of the liver diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology.
Case: A 37-year-old man suspected of having a liver abscess in ultrasonography was found in dynamic computed tomography (CT) to have masses were enhanced in the early phase. Peripheral regions of large tumors were enhanced at the S3 and S6 segments. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the liver was performed under ultrasonographic guidance to S3. Atypical cells with “salt and pepper” nuclear chromatin and clear cytoplasm were found partly with a rosette formation of cells. Immunocytochemical studies showed positive staining with antibodies to chromogranin, synaptophysin, and neuron specific enolase, but negative to CEA, leading to a diagnosis of carcinoid. Subsequent chemotherapy was ineffective, with the patient dying 18 months later. An autopsy was done. Histological findings of the hepatic tumor showed solid, plain proliferation of round or oval tumor cells with a rosette formation. Immunohistochemical staining showed the same results as immunocytochemical staining. The definitive diagnosis was carcinoid originating in the liver, since no primary lesion was detected.
Conclusion: Fine-needle aspiration cytology is very useful for accurately diagnosing primary carcinoid of the liver.
