Plasmacytoid Myoepithelioma of the Hard Palate in a Child - A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Myoepithelioma is a rare tumour accounting for 1-1.5% of salivary gland tumours, 21% of which occur in soft & hard palate. Cytologic features of these tumours are not well established leading to diagnostic pitfall in many cases on FNAC. However, as radiologic findings are overlapping and inconclusive in salivary gland tumours, preoperative cytologic diagnosis may help surgeons to plan surgery especially in patients requiring facial surgery. Here, we present a rare case of plasmacytoid myoepithelioma of the hard palate in an 11-year-old boy which was conclusively diagnosed on FNAC and further confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. We have made an attempt to describe cytologic features of myoepithelioma with differential diagnosis of these tumours through review of literature.

Keywords: Cytologic diagnosis; Intra oral mass; Salivary gland tumour.

[Table/Fig-1]:

(a) Clinical photograph showing a mass on hard palate (b) Intraoperative photograph showing firm, well circumscribed mass (c) Fine Needle Aspiration smear showing high cellularity (H&E Stain, x100) (d) Microphotograph showing sheets of plasmacytoid cells with eccentric nucleus and prominent nucleoli (H&E Stain, x400)

[Table/Fig-2]:

(a) Histological section showing tumour cells in nests, islands and cords separated by scanty myxoid stroma (H&E Stain, x100) (b) High power view showing plasmacytoid myoepithelial cells (H&E Stain, x400) (c) Microphotograph showing strong positivity for Cytokeratin 14 (IHC stain, x400) (d) Microphotograph showing focal positivity for p63 (IHC stain, x400)