Unusual cytogenetic findings in a synovial sarcoma arising in the paranasal sinuses

A fresh specimen from an intracranial tumor, which was histopatologically classified as a synovial sarcoma, was investigated cytogenetically. The direct method failed to give any information due to a lack of mitotic cells after treatment with 70% acetic acid, whereas 6-day cultures showed a 45,XY,del(6q),-10 karyotype. The histologic evaluation was consistent with a synovial sarcoma, which is well characterized from a cytogenetic perspective and involves a t(X;18)(p11;q11) in more than 95% of cases. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis did not show the presence of the SYT-SSX chimeric gene.