1. Clinically misinterpreted melanoma metastases can correctly be diagnosed by ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology.
- Author
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Schaefer-Hesterberg G, Akkooi AJ, Letsch A, Roewert J, Blume-Peytavi U, Keilholz U, and Voit C
- Subjects
- Elbow, Humans, Lipoma pathology, Lymph Nodes diagnostic imaging, Male, Melanoma, Amelanotic surgery, Middle Aged, Skin Neoplasms surgery, Soft Tissue Neoplasms surgery, Surgery, Computer-Assisted, Ultrasonography, Biopsy, Fine-Needle methods, Melanoma, Amelanotic pathology, Skin Neoplasms pathology, Soft Tissue Neoplasms diagnostic imaging, Soft Tissue Neoplasms secondary
- Abstract
Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (US-guided FNAC) of regional nodal basins is increasingly incorporated into the national follow-up schemes of high risk melanoma patients. In this paper we describe an additional added value of US-guided FNAC in the detection and verification of subcutaneous/in-transit metastases. A patient presented with a long lasting, smooth, movable node, close to the scar of the primary melanoma, mimicking a lipoma in every clinical follow-up. Ultrasound at once suspected a metastasis. FNAC was performed within one day of sampling in an outpatient setting, without side effects. A hypothesis of an auto-vaccination in this case could not be proven by examining the T-cell response. Despite the clinically benign aspect of this metastasis, US-guided FNAC can provide diagnosis within 1 day. FNAC is a rapid, cost-effective method, free of complications, of great value in the diagnosis of putative metastases.
- Published
- 2011
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