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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Manipulating the Murine Lacrimal Gland
Published on: November 18, 2014
Lacrimal gland lymphoma: a cytomorphologic and immunophenotypic study
P B Jeffrey1, D Cartwright, S K Atwater
1Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Insights
Fine-needle aspiration cytology can identify malignant lymphoma in the lacrimal gland. This method provides ideal tissue for analysis, aiding in the diagnosis of these lymphoid lesions.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Hematology
- Cytopathology
Background:
- Lacrimal gland lymphoma cytomorphology is not well-defined.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the cytomorphology of lacrimal gland lymphoma.
- To evaluate fine-needle aspiration (FNA) as a diagnostic tool.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of six cases of histologically confirmed lacrimal gland lymphoma.
- Utilized fine-needle aspiration cytology, immunophenotype analysis, and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement studies.
Main Results:
- FNA cytology revealed atypical lymphoid cell populations.
- Immunophenotype analysis confirmed B-cell origin with monotypic surface immunoglobulin.
- Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement was detected in three cases.
Conclusions:
- Fine-needle aspiration is a valuable adjunct for diagnosing malignant lymphoid lesions of the lacrimal gland.
- FNA provides suitable material for cytologic and immunophenotypic evaluation, potentially reducing the need for surgical biopsy.
- Further research is needed to differentiate benign from malignant lymphoid proliferations using FNA.
Abstract:
The cytomorphology of lacrimal gland lymphoma has not been specifically described. Herein we present six cases of histologically proven lacrimal gland lymphoma which we analyzed using fine-needle aspiration cytology, cell suspension immunophenotype analysis, and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement studies. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed atypical populations of cells comprised of either monomorphic small round lymphocytes with or without plasmacytoid features (4 cases), a mixed population of small and large irregular lymphocytes (1 case), or a population of large irregular lymphocytes (1 case). The initial cytologic diagnosis was malignant lymphoma in all six cases. Cell suspension immunophenotype analysis demonstrated that the lesions were composed predominantly of B-cells that expressed monotypic surface immunoglobulin. Three cases demonstrated an immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. The atypical cytologic features and the abnormal immunophenotype were consistently predictive of malignant lymphoma. Given that these lesions are small and biopsy material is often limited, fine-needle aspiration offers the advantage of providing tissue that is ideal for cytologic and cell suspension immunophenotype evaluation, obviating the need to provide surgical biopsy material for this purpose. We conclude that fine-needle aspiration can identify malignant lymphoid lesions of the lacrimal gland and may serve as a valuable adjunct in the assessment of these lesions. Additional study is warranted to determine whether fine-needle aspiration can reliably distinguish between benign and malignant lymphoid proliferations of the lacrimal gland.
