Cytologic features of angioleiomyoma: cytologic-histologic study of 10 cases

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) features in 10 angioleiomyomas (ALM) were evaluated and correlated to histological features and clinical data. The tumors developed in the skin or subcutaneous tissue of the lower extremities (eight), the shoulder (one), and the lower arm (one). Eight tumors were painful or tender. Cytological specimens showed moderate or sparse cellularity. The most frequent findings were uniform spindle cells, seen in nine smears. In eight of these, the spindle cells were admixed with smooth muscle cells and fragments of collagenous tissue in varying proportions. The occurrence of macrophages and fat cells was less specific, being present in three of nine smears. One aspirate contained some "ganglion-like" cells and a multinucleated giant cell. Smears from ALM are not sufficiently characteristic to permit a histotype diagnosis, but together with typical clinical data (painful or tender nodule) may help to exclude other skin or subcutaneous lesions.