Abstract

Cytopathologic findings of two cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea are reported. The carcinomas grew as a intratracheal mass. By bronchial washing, brushing and/ or post-bronchoscopic sputum cytology, large cohesive sheets, lobulated clusters, or three dimensional ball-like structures were obtained. They had numerous cyst-like spaces containing characteristic globular basophilic material. The tumor cells were uniform and had a small amount of cytoplasm. Nuclei were small and hyperchromatic. Nucleoli were occasionally observed. The cytological diagnosis was confirmed by bronchoscopic biopsies.

• Keywords: Adenoid cystic carcinoma;Trachea;Bronchial brushing;Bronchial washing;Post-bronchoscopic sputum.