Cytology of bronchial benign granular-cell tumor.

The cytologic features of a case with multiple bronchial benign granular-cell tumors are reported and compared with those of previously reported cases. Characteristic tumor cells were found in the bronchoscopic brushing smears and in cell block sections (but not smears) prepared from the washing fluid. These findings were confirmed by the bronchial biopsy and histologic study of the resected tumors. A cytologic diagnosis of bronchial granular-cell tumor should not be difficult because the cytologic appearance of the tumor cells is characteristic; however, the possibility of a concomitant tumor, such as adenocarcinoma or small-cell carcinoma, should be considered and excluded.