Diagnosis of cerebral Whipple's disease by cerebrospinal fluid cytology

In a case of Whipple's disease the diagnosis was made by careful cytologic evaluation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), identifying "Sieracki cells". A basal granuloma invaded the hypothalamus, diencephalon, and rostral parts of the brainstem. An exploration in the initial stage led to misdiagnosis as a granular cell tumor. Diagnosis was then confirmed by intestinal biopsy.