The cytologic appearance of cervicovaginal lesions has been well studied. Similarly, the cytologic appearance of various rare findings in cervical smears has been described and documented. 1,2 However, Charcot-Leyden crystals (CLCs), typically found in all types of cytologic material from asthmatic patients, have not been described in cervical smears. 3,4 We recently encountered a case whose cervical smear showed CLCs.
Our patient was a 23-yr-old woman with a history of vaginal discharge and burning. On gynecologic examination, a vaginal discharge suggestive of candidiasis was noted. Cervix and vagina had an inflammatory appearance. Classical cervical smear was taken with a spatula. Smear was wet-fixed and stained by the Papanicolaou method. Microscopic examination showed parabazal, intermediate, superficial cells, neutrophil leukocytes, cell debris, and candida spores. Interspersed among these cells were many spindle-shaped crystals consistent with the morphology of CLCs (Fig. 1). A descriptive cytologic report was given. Following the diagnosis, the patient underwent a clinical and laboratory investigation; no evidence of local or systemic disease was found. The patient was given an antifungal therapy but the following visits were unavailable to us. Therefore, we were not able to evaluate the results of the therapy.
CLCs have been described especially in serous fluids and may be found in all types of cytologic material from asthmatic patients. 1,4 Typically, the asthmatic patient's bronchial mucus plugs contain these crystals. 4,5 During the pulmonary aspergillosis, pathologic findings include CLCs. 5 In all examples of CLCs where a description of the accompanying cells was provided, it is obvious that the materials were classifiable as eosinophilic. 3,8 The literature clearly indicates that CLCs are formed from breakdown products of eosinophils. 3,5,7 CLCs have an acicular, rhomboidal form and with the Papanicolaou stain they are bright orange, yellow, and sometimes have green borders and