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Updated: May 17, 2026
Detection of Extravascular Trypanosoma Parasites by Fine Needle Aspiration
Published on: August 7, 2019
[Fine needle aspirate of lymph node as the analytical sample for immunophenotyping]
Viktorija Svencbir1, Veronika Anić, Zoran Siftar
1Merkur University Hospital, Department of Clinical Cytology and Cytogenetics, Zagreb, Hrvatska. vsvencbir@yahoo.com
Insights
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) provides adequate material for flow cytometry, crucial for diagnosing lymphoproliferative diseases. This method accurately distinguishes benign from malignant lymph node lesions by determining B-lymphocyte clonality.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Cytopathology
- Immunology
Context:
- Flow cytometry is essential for diagnosing lymphoproliferative diseases by assessing B-lymphocyte clonality.
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a common diagnostic procedure for lymph node evaluation.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the diagnostic value and sample adequacy of FNA for flow cytometry in lymph node lesions.
- To determine B-lymphocyte clonality in benign and malignant lymph node conditions.
- To assess the utility of FNA combined with flow cytometry for diagnosing lymphoproliferative diseases.
Summary:
- This study analyzed 239 patients, classifying them into B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, benign lymphoproliferative disease, and other categories.
- Results confirmed FNA yields sufficient cells for flow cytometry, with no inadequate samples.
- Flow cytometry is critical for differentiating benign from malignant conditions, especially in cases with monomorphic lymphoid cell populations.
Impact:
- FNA coupled with flow cytometry is a simple, safe, and effective method for diagnosing lymphoproliferative disorders.
- This approach aids in accurate diagnosis and separation of benign versus malignant lymph node pathologies.
- The findings support the routine use of FNA and flow cytometry in clinical laboratory settings for lymph node analysis.
Abstract:
In modern clinical laboratory routine, cell analysis by flow cytometry means help in setting up the diagnosis by determination of B-lymphocyte clonality and thus separation of benign and malignant lymphoproliferative diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the value of cytologic diagnosis and adequacy of the material obtained by fine needle aspiration (FNA) of lymph nodes for flow cytometry analysis in cases of benign lesions and primary malignant lesions of lymph nodes. In addition, the aim was to determine B-lymphocyte clonality in different groups of benign and malignant lymph node lesions. The study was based on medical documentation, cytologic smears of FNA lymph node samples and results of flow cytometry immunophenotyping. A total of 239 patients were included over a one-year period. Patients were classified according to cytologic findings in the groups of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of B cell origin (55%), benign lymphoproliferative disease (22%), undefined group of monomorphic population of lymphatic cells (16%), and the rest in the group of non-Hodgkin's non B cell origin. Study results showed FNA to be an appropriate method for obtaining sufficient numbers of cells for analysis by flow cytometry because there was no inadequate samples in our study group. In some cases of monomorphic lymphoid cell population, cytologic diagnosis was limited to small cell lymphomas, so determining the clonality by flow cytometry is crucial in separating malignant from benign lymphoproliferative disease. It is concluded that FNA associated with the flow cytometry method is a simple and safe method in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disease.
