Cytologic diagnosis of papillary cystic neoplasm of the pancreas

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Abstract
The diagnosis of papillary cystic neoplasm of the pancreas (PCNP) on cytologic material allows important therapeutic decisions to be made before surgery. We report two cases in which PCNP was diagnosed preoperatively by fine‐needle aspiration biopsy, and review the cytologic features of PCNP previously reported in the literature. The distinctive cytologic features of this tumor included papillary structures composed of tumor cells surrounding myxoid material with delicate central vascular cores, and globoid structures composed of amorphous myxoid material. The cytologic characteristics of PCNP are reviewed here. Definitive diagnosis of PCNP can be reliably achieved by fine‐needle aspiration cytology.© 1995 Willey‐ Liss, Inc.