Usefulness of light microscopy in lymph node fine needle aspiration biopsy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate light microscopic examination of lymph node fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in order to determine the indications for ancillary procedures and biopsy.


METHODS
Reports and smears from 693 consecutive lymph node FNABs were reviewed. Fifty-five cases were excluded because of inadequacy of the material, and another 26 were excluded because follow-up information was not available.


RESULTS
Cytologically, 220 cases were diagnosed as positive for malignancy and 392 as negative. Global sensitivity was 94.1% and specificity 96.9%. Sensitivity was higher for nonlymphoid neoplasms (98.2%) than for lymphoproliferative disorders (82.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
Lymph node FNAB is a cost-effective procedure, and with adequate cytologic examination and follow-up, a large number of biopsies and time-consuming ancillary techniques can be avoided.
Serrano Egea
Anastasio
A
Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Crta. de Andalucía km 5,400, 28041 Madrid, Spain.
Martínez González
Miguel A
MA
Pérez Barrios
Andrés
A
Alberti Masgrau
Nuria
N
de Agustín de Agustín
Pedro
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008853:Microscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity