title: Fine-needle aspiration cytology of Kikuchi's lymphadenitis: a report of ten cases.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytologic features of Kikuchi's lymphadenitis (KL). Smears from 10 patients with histologically proven KL were reviewed. In all cases, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was performed prior to biopsy. To assess the validity of morphologic recognition, a blinded study, including smears from non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, nonspecific, and mycobacterial lymphadenitis was performed. At least 5 cases showed characteristic cytologic findings that permitted their specific recognition. A polymorphous lymphoid population with abundant karyorrhectic debris and histiocytes, many of which showed a small size and eccentrically placed, crescent nuclei, were characteristic features of KL. The remaining 5 cases failed to show typical findings and were indistinguishable from other nonspecific, reactive lymphadenopathies. When typical cytologic findings are present in an adequate clinical context (cervical nodes in young patients), a precise diagnosis is possible, avoiding unnecessary biopsies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain. jviguer@hulp.insalud.es
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Viguer
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Heffernan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: López-Ferrer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gónzalez-Peramato
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vicandi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005260:Female; D020042:Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method