Cellular schwannoma mimics a sarcoma: An example of a potential pitfall in aspiration cytodiagnosis

Abstract

Cellular schwannoma, a variant of benign schwannoma, is characterized by marked nuclear pleomorphism and hyperchromasia and may be overdiagnosed as a malignancy in fine-needle aspiration specimens. We report the aspiration cytology findings of a case of cellular schwannoma that arose in the parapharyngeal region of a 50-yr-old woman.