Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Detection of Extravascular Trypanosoma Parasites by Fine Needle Aspiration
Published on: August 7, 2019
Flow cytometric immunophenotyping in fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes
1Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Fine-needle aspiration combined with flow cytometry immunophenotyping aids in diagnosing lymph node disorders. This method accurately identifies B-cell lymphomas by analyzing cell surface markers, improving diagnostic value.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a common diagnostic tool for lymphadenopathy.
- Its diagnostic value for low or intermediate-grade malignant lymphomas can be limited.
- Immunophenotyping is crucial for accurate lymphoma diagnosis via FNA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of immunophenotyping by flow cytometry (FCM) as an adjunct to FNA for diagnosing lymphoproliferative disorders.
- To assess the reliability and efficiency of FCM in analyzing surface markers of lymphoid cells from lymph node aspirates.
Main Methods:
- Multiparametric analysis of 33 lymph node FNA samples using FCM.
- Assessment of surface marker profiles on lymphoid cells.
- Distinguishing between reactive hyperplasia and lymphomas based on immunophenotypic patterns.
Main Results:
- Reactive hyperplasia showed variable but polyclonal cell surface marker patterns.
- B-cell lymphomas exhibited distinct B-cell lineage immunophenotypes, often with kappa:lambda or lambda:kappa ratios exceeding 3:1.
- T-cell lymphomas predominantly expressed T-cell surface markers.
Conclusions:
- Immunophenotyping of lymph node aspirates using FCM is a valuable diagnostic adjunct for lymphoproliferative disorders.
- FCM is particularly effective for diagnosing B-cell lymphomas due to its speed, objectivity, and reliability.
- The procedure is easily and adequately performed by FCM for clinical application.
Abstract:
Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of lymph nodes has been regarded as a useful method in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy. However, this procedure has been shown to be of limited value in the diagnosis of low or intermediate grade malignant lymphomas in some studies. Immunophenotyping is an essential adjunct to cytomorphology for the diagnosis of lymphoma by FNA. Immunophenotyping using flow cytometry (FCM) is rapid, objective and reliable. Using FCM, multiparametric analysis of 33 FNA materials from lymph nodes was performed and profiles of surface markers of lymphoid cells were assessed. In reactive hyperplasia, patterns of cell surface markers were quite variable, but disclosed polyclonality. Most of the B-cell lymphomas showed immunophenotypes for B-cell lineages with their kappa: lambda or lambda: kappa ratio being over 3:1. In T-cell lymphomas, T-cell surface markers were predominantly expressed as well. In conclusion, our results suggest that immunophenotyping of lymph node aspirates is a valuable diagnostic adjunct for lymphoproliferative disorders, particularly in B-cell lymphomas because immunophenotyping can be easily and adequately performed by FCM.
More Related Videos
10:29Semi-automatic PD-L1 Characterization and Enumeration of Circulating Tumor Cells from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients by Immunofluorescence
Published on: August 14, 2019
07:38Intracellular Phosphoflow Cytometry of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient-Derived Xenotransplants
Published on: June 6, 2025
