Fine needle aspiration of salivary gland lesions with multinucleated giant cells

Objective: To report on multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs) in salivary fine needle aspiration (FNA). Study Design: 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, FMA, S100, HMB45 and CD1a were performed on selected cases. Results: Twenty-six aspiration smears containing MNGCs were identified from 1,040 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. Conclusion: 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.