Diagnosis of adrenal histoplasmosis by fine needle aspiration cytology: an analysis based on five cases.

BACKGROUND

There is limited description in the literature of the initial diagnosis of adrenal histoplasmosis by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).

OBJECTIVE

To study the aetiology, clinical features and morphological differential diagnosis of adrenal histoplasmosis diagnosed initially by FNAC.

METHODS

Five cases diagnosed by ultrasound-guided FNAC from 2008 to 2010 were found in the laboratory records and reviewed. Clinical features and cytomorphological features were correlated.

RESULTS

All the patients were male and were aged 45-83 years (mean 60 years). Three patients had a history of contact with birds, one was diabetic and all were negative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The commonest symptom was weight loss. On cytological smears, uniform round to oval (about 2-4 μm in diameter) budding yeasts were seen intracellularly (within histiocytes) as well as extracellularly. In three cases, an inflammatory response in the form of epithelioid cell granulomas along with multinucleated giant cells was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Adrenal histoplasmosis does occur in immunocompetent persons living in areas not endemic for the disease. Although it is not common, it needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of bilateral adrenal enlargement. FNAC is a simple, safe technique to establish the initial diagnosis. Correct diagnosis and treatment leads to a favourable outcome.