Giant Cell Rich Lesions of Bone- Cytologic Analysis of Imprint Smears

Amala Institute of Medical Sciences Thrissur, Kerala, India Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract Introduction: There are many bone lesions rich in osteoclastic giant cells(GC). FNAC and Trucut biopsies are increasingly being used to diagnose bone lesions. . In our centre, imprint smears are also made at the time of trucut biopsies which often provide better cytological details. Here we have analyzed the cytological features of giant cell rich lesions diagnosed over a three year period which included GCT,ABC and CB. Materials and Methods: The following features were evaluated in smears from each case diagnosed during three years: 1) Presence of double population of GC and mononuclear cells 2)Presence of cohesive cell groups 3)GC attached to the periphery of mononuclear cell groups 4)oval-spindle mononuclear cells 5)Round mononuclear cells with nuclear folds 6) Background material if any. Results: there were 21 lesions which included 14 giant cell tumors (GCT) of bone, 5 aneurismal bone cysts (ABC), and 2 cases of chondroblastoma (CB). Conclusion: GCT, ABC and CB are bone lesions containing GC. Although there are similarities, there are enough distinctive features in cytologic smears to allow their distinction with confidence and thus provide an easy and less expensive way of preoperative diagnosis.