Fine-needle aspiration of brown tumor of bone: cytologic features with radiologic and histologic correlation

Diagn Cytopathol. 2009 Feb;37(2):136-9. doi: 10.1002/dc.20974.

Abstract

We report the case of a 40-year-old man with tertiary hyperparathyroidism due to end stage renal disease who initially presented with acute-onset paraplegia, elevated serum parathyroid hormone, and multiple bone abnormalities, including a large extradural intraspinal mass seen by magnetic resonance imaging. In contrast with imaging features, fine-needle aspiration cytology showed numerous benign-appearing multinucleated osteoclast-type giant cells that are the characteristics of either brown tumor or benign giant cell tumor of bone. Sheets of mononuclear spindled stromal cells were also noted. A core-needle biopsy confirmed the diagnostic features of brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Bone / diagnosis*
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Bone / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hyperparathyroidism / complications
  • Hyperparathyroidism / diagnosis
  • Hyperparathyroidism / pathology
  • Male
  • Osteoclasts / pathology
  • Radiography