Endobronchial granular cell tumor. Cytology of a new case and review of the literature.

We report the 45th case of endobronchial granular cell tumor in the literature and describe in detail the cytologic findings in bronchial brushings and post-brush washings. Our findings differ from those of the only other cytologic report of such a lesion. We review the literature and summarize the clinical and pathologic findings of endobronchial granular cell tumors. Cytologically the differential diagnosis is between granular cells, respiratory epithelial cells and macrophages. We feel that our criteria make the distinction between them easy. However, most importantly, one must suspect the lesion; otherwise, these "benign cells" will be passed over by the screening cytotechnologist.