Fine Needle Aspiration of Salivary Gland Lesions with Multinucleated Giant Cells

To report on multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs) in salivary fine needle aspiration (FNA). The cytologic reports of salivary gland region FNA during a 10-year period was searched using the keyword giant cell in the final diagnosis or microscopic description. Cases with foreign body-type giant cells secondary to previous biopsy or FNA were excluded. Histologic correlations and immunohistochemical staining for CD68, CK, EMA, S100, HMB45 and CD1a were performed on selected cases. Twenty-six aspiration smears containing MNGCs were identified from 1040 salivary gland FNAs (2.5%). MNGCs were seen in some reactive or inflammatory conditions, benign neoplasms and malignant neoplasms. By type of MNGC, the salivary lesions were categorized in 3 groups: those with foreign body type, osteoclast type and tumor giant cells. MNGCs can be seen in a wide spectrum of salivary gland lesions ranging from reactive to benign and malignant. They are of nonepithelial origin or can be of true neoplastic nature in metastatic lesions.