The role of percutaneous needle biopsies in the original diagnosis of lymphoma: a prospective evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
A prospective evaluation to determine if percutaneous needle biopsy yields enough tissue to establish the diagnosis of lymphoma and initiate therapy.


METHODS
Lymphoma was diagnosed in 43 patients for the first time. Patients underwent either a core needle biopsy (n = 41) or an aspiration-type needle biopsy (n = 2) performed with imaging guidance. Immunochemical studies were performed on specimens from 39 of 43 patients (91%); flow cytometry was performed formed on specimens from 10 patients (23%). Patient progress was followed to see if biopsy results were used as a basis for treatment or if additional material was obtained with an open surgical procedure.


RESULTS
On the basis of treatment decisions, needle biopsy results were sufficient for a diagnosis to be made in 36 of 43 patients (84%). In seven patients (16%), needle biopsy specimens were considered nondiagnostic, suspicious for lymphoma, or insufficient. None of the 43 patients responded to therapy in a manner that suggested the diagnosis of lymphoma to be incorrect.


CONCLUSIONS
Image-guided needle biopsy should be the first procedure performed in the diagnosis of lymphoma, except in easily accessible superficial neck, inguinal, and axillary nodal sites.
Quinn
S F
SF
Department of Radiology, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center, Portland, OR 97210, USA.
Sheley
R C
RC
Nelson
H A
HA
Demlow
T A
TA
Wienstein
R E
RE
Dunkley
B L
BL
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003657:Decision Making; D003949:Diagnostic Techniques, Surgical; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007264:Inguinal Canal; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional