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Case History

A 52-year-old male presents with an epistaxis and nasal obstruction. Imaging shows a 2.1 cm mass involving the cribriform plate of the ethmoid sinus. 

What is the diagnosis?

  1.       Neuroendocrine carcinoma
  2.       NUT carcinoma
  3.       Mucosal Melanoma
  4.       Olfactory Neuroblastoma

thumbnail_Branton_HE_100x_2.jpg thumbnail_Branton_HE_200x_3.jpgthumbnail_Branton_HE_100x.jpg cyto 5

Answer: D. Olfactory Neuroblastoma

Olfactory Neuroblastoma is a rare malignancy with a bimodal age distribution that usually involves the cribriform plate of the ethmoid sinus.  It is derived from the sensory neuroepithelial olfactory cells and like the olfactory neuroepithelium contains 3 cell types: Basal cells, olfactory neurosensory cells, and  sustentacular cells.  The cytology slide shows loosely cohesive intermediate sized cells with fine chromatin.  H & E shows round small blue cells arranged in a lobular configuration with a stroma composed of neurofibrillary material.  Immunohistochemistry was positive for synaptohysin and chromogranin.

Case contributed by: Joseph Kaminsky, M.D., Cytopathology Fellow, UAB Pathology