Salivary amylase crystalloids in Warthin's tumor: An aspiration cytodiagnosis

Crystalloids may be seen in a variety of salivary gland lesions, but their presence is not common. Among various types of crystalloids, amylase crystalloids are usually found in benign lesions of the salivary gland. Here, we report a case of a 76-year-old male with swelling on the angle of the mandible left side for 15 days. Local examination showed a solitary soft-to-firm swelling of size 4.7 cm × 4.1 cm × 2.8 cm. Ultrasonography (USG) showed a well-defined cystic lesion with the solid component. Fine-needle aspiration cytology cytosmears showed predominantly mixed inflammatory cells; few epithelial cell clusters with numerous crystalloids which are rectangular to rhomboid shape with nonparallel sides. Cytological features are suggestive of benign cystic sialadenitis with amylase crystalloids. However, after 3 months of follow-up, as the swelling did not subside, excisional biopsy was done and histopathology showed features of Warthin's tumor with crystalloids. The presence of amylase crystalloids in any type of salivary gland lesion with cystic change; multiple aspirations followed by histopathological examination should be done to rule out neoplastic etiology.