Context: Mycetoma is a chronic, specific, granulomatous, progressive subcutaneous disease, characterised by sinuses discharging pus with granules. Actinomycetes and eumycetes are the causative agents. In the absence of discharging sinuses, a diagnosis may not be suspected. In such cases histopathology remains the only diagnostic modality, as often cultures are not done. Fine needle aspiration can aid in rapid diagnosis of mycetomas, however experience and literature regarding cytology of

more »

... as is limited. Aims: To delineate the cytological features of mycetomas and correlate with histopathology. Materials and Method: Cytological smears of histologically proven cases of mycetoma were included in the study. Fine needle aspiration was done in 5 cases, scrape smears were available in 7 and squash cytology in 1 case. Cell block preparation was available in one case. Cytology smears were stained with H&E, Papanicoloau and Giemsa stains in all the cases. Gram stain, Periodic acid Schiff and/or Grocott methenamine silver stains were done wherever required. Results: Of the 9 cases of actinomycetoma and 4 cases of eumycetoma including 1 case of pale grain mycetoma on histology, all 13 could be diagnosed accurately on cytology. Conclusions: Differentiation between actinomycetoma and eumycetoma is as accurate on cytology as histopathology. Special stains can be reliably applied on cytological specimens for further confirmation. Cytology remains an accurate, inexpensive and a tolerated procedure that allows for rapid diagnosis of mycetoma.