Exfoliative cytology of tracheobronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma.

The cytologic findings in the bronchial brushing and washing specimens of three cases of tracheobronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma are reported and compared with those reported in the literature. The cytodiagnostic features including cribriform epithelial clusters, epithelial balls, branching epithelial cylinders, cellular hyaline mucous globules, and a heretofore unemphasized diagnostic clue in exfoliative cytology--naked hyaline globules in washing smears, are illustrated and discussed.