Lymph node infarction.   An immunohistochemical study of 11 cases.
BACKGROUND
The etiology of lymph node infarction may be difficult or impossible to determine by histologic examination. Lymph node infarction is followed by malignant lymphoma in some but not all patients. The role of immunohistochemistry in the evaluation of lymph node infarction is not well defined. Although it is widely believed that necrotic tissue is not suitable for immunohistochemical study, this view may be inaccurate.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether lymphoid antigens are preserved in infarcted lymph nodes and to determine the utility of immunohistochemical staining in the evaluation of lymph node infarction.


METHODS
Retrospective immunohistochemical study of infarcted lymph nodes using archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
Eleven adult patients with lymph node infarction retrieved from pathology files.


METHODS
Results of immunohistochemistry, diagnosis of lymphoma.


RESULTS
Preservation of lymphoid antigens was observed in 4 of 6 cases of lymph node infarction associated with malignant lymphoma, including 3 of 5 cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and 1 case of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Nonspecific staining was not encountered. In 1 case, in which an infarcted lymph node showed a benign pattern of lymphoid antigen expression, lymphoma has not developed after 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Lymphoid antigens are frequently preserved in cases of lymph node infarction, and immunohistochemical study of infarcted lymph nodes may provide clinically useful information.
Strauchen
James A
JA
Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA. james.strauchen@msnyuhealth.org
Miller
Lorraine K
LK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome
D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte