Fine Needle Aspiration Cytologic Features of Cherubism A Case Report

Background Cherubism is characterized by hereditary and intraosseous fibrous swellings of the jaws. It presents with bilateral mandibular and maxillary involvement in young individuals. Fine needle aspiration cytologic (FNAC) features have rarely been described in the literature; they include smears showing moderate cellulairty with spindle cells mixed with multinucleated giant cells of osteoclast type. Therefore giant cell containing soft tissue and bone lesions are considered in the differential diagnosis. Case A 13-year-old girl presented with bilateral symmetrical mandibular enlargement and was diagnosed as having cherubism on FNAC. Conclusion We describe the cytomorphologic features of cherubism along with its differential diagnosis on cytology and emphasize that with clinicoradiologic correlation, a specific diagnosis can be offered for a definitive therapeutic approach. (Acta Cytol 2010;54:595-597)