Cytodiagnosis of extraosseous mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of meninges - A case report

Background Extraosseous mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MC) is a rare neoplasm, Most reports in the literature are based on histologic diagnosis. Cases diagnosed on the basis of cytologic features are few. Case A 30-year-old woman. presented with complaints of headache, vomiting and swelling in the right temporal region for the previous 2 months. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears showed scant material consisting mainly of monomorphic small round cells with granular cytoplasm, and central round nuclei lying in a background of myxoid matrix. Occasional giant cells were also seen. Cells were periodic acid-Schiff negative. One of the smears showed a tiny fragment of cartilaginous component. A provisional diagnosis of extraosseous MC was made. Peroperatively the mass was arising from meninges and the diagnosis was confirmed by histology. Conclusion Extraosseous MC should be considered in FNA smears showing small round cells in a myxoid background. Demonstration of cartilage and a correlation of clinical presentation and imaging studies with cytologic findings are important.