Hepatoblastoma Diagnosed by Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology

Abstract

Fine needle aspiration(FNA) of hepatic masses in children is a useful technique for making a diagnosis, especially in unresectable tumors. FNA under ultrasound guidance in an unresectable hepatoblastoma of a 6 month-old female was performed. The cytologic features of hepatoblastoma were characterisitc displaying trabecular clusters or single cells with a high nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and usually round nuclei, which were fetal epithelial cells. Nests of embryonal cells which had more hyperchromatic and pleomorphic nuclei with occasional prominent nucleoli were also identified. In addition, eosinophilic osteoid material and extramedullary hematopoiesis were observed, which were very helpful in differentiating from the hepatocellular carcinoma. Preoperative chemotherapy made the tumor resectable and pathologic findings were obtained.