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Multilobulated "flower" cells in a subcutaneous mass aspirate from a cat
D Fritz1, K P Freeman, C Hopfner
1Companion Animal Laboratory, Troyes, France. calfritz@worldonline.fr
Insights
Flower cells, characterized by multilobulated nuclei, were identified in a cat's lymphoma. These rare cells aid in diagnosing B-cell lymphoma and other neoplasms in veterinary cytology.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Cytopathology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Diagnosis of feline neoplasms can be challenging.
- Identifying specific cell types is crucial for accurate prognostication and treatment.
- Multilobulated cells, termed 'flower cells', are rarely observed in veterinary samples.
Observation:
- A subcutaneous mass in an 8-year-old intact male cat revealed cells with multilobulated nuclei.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed B-cell origin, diagnosing lymphoma.
- Similar cells were noted in various body fluids of dogs and cats with lymphoid and myeloid neoplasms.
Findings:
- Multilobulated 'flower cells' are indicative of B-cell lymphoma in cats.
- Immunohistochemistry is essential for characterizing these rare cells.
- These cells have also been documented in human neoplasms.
Implications:
- This finding expands the diagnostic criteria for veterinary cytology.
- Recognizing 'flower cells' can improve the diagnosis of lymphoid and myeloid neoplasms in cats and dogs.
- Further research into the origin and significance of these cells is warranted.
Abstract:
An 8-year-old intact male cat was presented with a subcutaneous mass in the region of the right jugular vein. Cytologic and histopathologic examinations revealed cells with multilobulated nuclei (flower cells). Immunochemistry using a panel of markers showed vimentin-positivity on cytologic specimens, and postive staining for CD79a and BLA36 on histologic specimens. The final diagnosis was lymphoma of B-cell origin. We have observed similar multilobulated cells in ascites fluid, thoracic fluid, and peripheral blood from dogs and cats with a variety of lymphoid and myeloid neoplasms. Cells with multilobulated nuclei that resemble flower petals also have been described in humans. These cells are infrequently observed in canine and feline cytology specimens and require immunochemistry to determine their cell of origin.
