Objective comparison of cellular yield in fine-needle biopsy of lymph nodes with and without aspiration

Recent reports have indicated that needle biopsy without aspiration obtained adequate material for diagnosis. To determine objectively the adequacy of cell yield both for diagnosis and for special studies (e.g., flow cytometry, markers), we prospectively studied 20 superficial lymph nodes in 20 patients with a history of lymphoma. In each case, the cytology materials were obtained by fine-needle biopsy techniques with (FNAB) and without (FNB) aspiration. Two needle passes for each method were placed in separate tubes of RPMI medium. With FNAB, the cell counts (determined by a Coulter counter) ranged from 1.55 to 70 million (M) per tube, mean = 19.12 M, whereas with FNB, the cell counts ranged from 1.58 M to 40 M, mean = 15.48 M (P = 0.4555). Although FNAB provided more cells in 12 cases (60%), FNB provided more cells in the remaining 8 cases (40%) (P = 0.9392). Both techniques provided adequate numbers of cells for special studies in all cases. We conclude that FNB can provide an adequate number of cells both for diagnosis and for special studies.