Asteroid bodies and calcium oxalate crystals: two infrequent findings in fine-needle aspirates of parotid sarcoidosis

Diagn Cytopathol. 1992;8(3):248-52. doi: 10.1002/dc.2840080312.

Abstract

We have studied 3 cases of sarcoidosis involving the parotid gland by means of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The main findings were noncaseating granulomas, multinucleated giant cells (MGCs), and lymphocytes. In one case MGCs contained asteroid bodies and in another case we observed calcium oxalate crystals (COCs) over both stromal fragments and MGCs. Although nonpathognomonic for sarcoidosis, these 2 findings may help in the diagnosis of this condition. However, both are easily overlooked and must be borne in mind when viewing noncaseating granulomas. Sarcoid granulomas displaying COC must be differentiated from foreign-body granulomas. The aforementioned cytological findings must be assessed in conjunction with clinical findings. Nevertheless, in most cases the diagnosis of sarcoidosis is made by exclusion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Calcium Oxalate / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fibrosis
  • Giant Cells / pathology
  • Humans
  • Inclusion Bodies / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Parotid Diseases / metabolism
  • Parotid Diseases / pathology*
  • Sarcoidosis / metabolism
  • Sarcoidosis / pathology*

Substances

  • Calcium Oxalate