Benign schwannoma: demonstration of Verocay bodies using fine needle aspiration

The cytologic findings in fine needle aspiration biopsy from case of benign Schwannoma of the vagus nerve are presented. In addition to the presence of individual spindle-shaped neoplastic cells, histiocytes and blood, characteristic Verocay bodies were identified. These showed peripheral arrangement of their nuclei within the cell masses, leaving central areas of fibrillary cytoplasm. The differential diagnosis of this tumor from some of the other neoplasms is discussed.