Diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma of bone by cytology, histology, and electron microscopy of transcutaneous bone-aspiration biopsy

The cytological, histological, and ultrastructural morphology of transcutaneous bone aspirates from five patients with eosinophilic granuloma of bone were studied. Use of this combined approach enabled us to make a definitive diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma from a small quantity of tissue without having to resort to open biopsy. By light microscopy, eosinophilic granuloma is composed of a polymorphous infiltrate of characteristic lobulated histiocytes, eosinophils, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and giant cells. Each specimen examined ultrastructurally demonstrated the characteristic Langerhans granule-containing histiocyte. Eosinophilic granuloma is a benign lesion which is readily diagnosed by this technique, and more aggressive diagnostic procedures usually are not warranted.