Cytomorphology of fibromatosis colli

Fibromatosis colli is a peculiar, benign fibrous growth of the sternocleidomastoid that usually appears during the first few weeks of life and is often associated with muscular torticollis. Fibromatosis colli (FC) is seen in children born after difficult, prolonged labor, assisted delivery, and breech deliveries. Clinically, FC has to be differentiated from congenital lesions, inflammatory lesions, and neoplastic conditions-both benign and malignant-that may occur at that site. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple technique that will help in excluding the above conditions and also in avoiding surgical procedures. Fibromatosis colli also resembles other forms of infantile fibromatosis, but its behavior, microscopic appearance, and its treatment distinguish it from other forms of infantile fibromatosis. In contrast to other forms of fibromatosis, a noninvasive, conservative management is usually the line of treatment for FC in most of the cases. FNAC is a noninvasive method of diagnosis of FC that is thus useful in its management. We report here a case of Fibromatosis colli diagnosed by FNAC.