Asbestos bodies in fine needle aspirates of the lung

Asbestos bodies, which are the hallmark of exposure to asbestos, were identified in cytologic preparations from fine needle aspirates of the lung in two individuals, one with considerable occupational exposure to asbestos and one for whom no source of asbestos exposure could be identified. At autopsy, large numbers of asbestos bodies were identified in the lung parenchyma in each case by use of a quantitative hypochlorite digestion-concentration technique. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis demonstrated that the main types of asbestos present were the commercial amphiboles, amosite and crocidolite. We have rarely identified asbestos bodies in fine needle lung aspirates studied in our laboratories and are not aware of such reports in the literature. It is likely that the identification of asbestos bodies in fine needle aspirates of the lung is indicative of considerable occupational exposure to asbestos.