Letter to Editor - Soft Tissue Swelling: Cytology Comes to Rescue

We wish to report a case of a 14 years old boy from Delhi who presented with a tender swelling just above the cubital fossa of left arm. It was approximately 3x2 cms in size and of a month's duration. There were no other complaints or findings. Prior treatment consisted of topical application of some herbal medicines. Results of routine blood studies were normal. Fine needle aspiration was attempted. A pownish aspirate was obtained. Smears were moderately cellular. In a background of dirty necrotic material were seen abundant eosinophils, polymorphs and histiocytes. Segment of an adult female filarial worm with smooth cuticle was identifiable. Its internal reproductive system showed characteristic long ovaries with numerous nuclei and lipid droplets (Figure). No eggs or microfilariae were seen.