BACKGROUND: Well-differentiated liposarcomas are low grade, nonmetastasizing, malignant neoplasms composed primarily of mature adipose tissue. They are uncommon in the head and neck. CASE: A 24-year-old female presented to the ears, nose and throat clinic for evaluation of a recent, rapidly growing neck mass on the right side. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the mass showed that the smears had fragments of connective tissue with a mixture of mature-appearing fat traversed by bands of fibrous collagen and vessels. Nuclei within the fat and fibrous bands were mildly irregular, hyperchromatic and enlarged, with one or two small nucleoli. Infrequently present but readily identified, lipoblasts were scattered throughout the aspirate smears. A diagnosis of "atypical lipomatous neoplasm" was rendered. Subsequently, the mass was surgically removed. On histologic examination, the tumor was a well-differentiated liposarcoma. CONCLUSION: FNA biopsy of well-differentiated liposarcomas in the head and neck can present difficulties in the classification and diagnosis of this neoplasm.
BACKGROUND: Well-differentiated liposarcomas are low grade, nonmetastasizing, malignant neoplasms composed primarily of mature adipose tissue. They are uncommon in the head and neck. CASE: A 24-year-old female presented to the ears, nose and throat clinic for evaluation of a recent, rapidly growing neck mass on the right side. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the mass showed that the smears had fragments of connective tissue with a mixture of mature-appearing fat traversed by bands of fibrous collagen and vessels. Nuclei within the fat and fibrous bands were mildly irregular, hyperchromatic and enlarged, with one or two small nucleoli. Infrequently present but readily identified, lipoblasts were scattered throughout the aspirate smears. A diagnosis of "atypical lipomatous neoplasm" was rendered. Subsequently, the mass was surgically removed. On histologic examination, the tumor was a well-differentiated liposarcoma. CONCLUSION: FNA biopsy of well-differentiated liposarcomas in the head and neck can present difficulties in the classification and diagnosis of this neoplasm.