Flow cytometry of liver fine needle aspirates.
Fine needle aspiration analysis of intraabdominal masses is increasing in frequency. This study was designed to evaluate whether flow cytometry could be of value in the cytopathology interpretation of such specimens. Over a 4-year time span, 129 consecutive liver fine needle aspirates were evaluated by flow cytometry for DNA content, ploidy, and proliferation rate. Only excess cells remaining in the needle after cytology samples were prepared were included in this study. Overall sensitivity was 75% and specificity was 94%. In addition, flow cytometry results were pivotal for at least two specimens in achieving the appropriate diagnosis. For these reasons, it was concluded that flow cytometry could be a valuable adjunctive technology, to the cytopathologist in the interpretation of liver fine needle aspirates.
Department of Medical Biology, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville 37920.
J E
JE
Fuhr
A A
AA
Kattine
H S
HS
Nelson
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002455:Cell Division; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D011003:Ploidies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004247:DNA