Sputum cytology of giant cell interstitial pneumonia

The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the cytologic findings from a patient who had clinical, radiologic and morphologic evidence of giant cell interstitial pneumonia. Of additional interest is the fact that this patient had had histologically proven desquamative interstitial pneumonia approximately seven years prior to his current admission. A discussion of the relationship between these two entities is also presented. Furthermore, it is emphasized that the presence of multinucleated giant cells alone is a nonspecific finding. However, with proper correlation with clinical history, radiology and other pertinent laboratory studies, one can often minimize the differential diagnosis. This case report points out the usefulness of such an approach in arriving at a specific diagnosis.