Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: cytopathological findings in an unusual case

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) primarily is a disease of children and adolescents. Most patients experience spontaneous regression at a later age, while others continue to be affected throughout their lives. Here, we present the case of a 26-yr-old man who presented with persistent cough, worsening dyspnea, and development of pneumothorax. Eight years prior, he had presented with similar complaints and an evaluation at that time had showed RRP. Follow-up since that time showed recurrent disease managed by multiple surgical procedures. At the most current admission, an ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the lung showed numerous papillary tissue fragments and single atypical squamous cells consistent with recurrent RPR. To our knowledge, morphological findings of RRP have been reported rarely.