Cytological features of a craniopharyngioma

The fine needle aspiration cytology of a cystic suprasellar lesion, which caused bilateral hemianopia in a woman aged 63, resulted to be consistent with a craniopharyngioma and was confirmed by tissue diagnosis. The cytological pattern showed macrophages and debris with calcifications indicating the presence of a cyst. Furthermore squamous cells of basal type and ghost cells were identified. These findings together with the seat of the lesion allowed for the diagnosis of craniopharyngioma and for the differentiation from other cystic lesions of the same region. The case confirms the value of the fine needle aspiration cytology in the detection of craniopharyngioma and points out cytological peculiarities of this not rare neoplasm.