Randomized comparison of power Doppler ultrasound-directed excisional biopsy with standard excisional biopsy for the characterization of lymphadenopathies in patients with suspected lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE
The sensitivity of lymph node excisional biopsy requires validation. Power Doppler ultrasound (US) helps predict the malignant status of lymphadenopathies. We used power Doppler US to select for biopsy the lymph node most suspected of malignancy.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-two patients having lymphadenopathies with clinical suspicion of lymphoma were divided into two well-matched groups and randomly assigned to undergo either standard or power Doppler US-directed lymph node excisional biopsy.


RESULTS
Histology showed a malignancy in 64% of patients in the standard group (lymphoma, 49 patients; carcinoma, two patients) and in 87% of patients in the US-assisted group (lymphoma, 62 patients; carcinoma, one patient). There were significantly fewer biopsy-related complications in the assisted group than in the standard group. During the follow-up of the patients with lymph nodes reported as being reactive, 14 of 29 patients in the standard group were rebiopsied and were found to have lymphoma (13 patients) or carcinoma at the subsequent lymph node histology, whereas none of the patients in the assisted group (nine patients) required a second biopsy. Thus, biopsy provided false-negative results for malignancy in 21% of patients affected by lymphoma in the standard group and never in the assisted group (P <.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Power Doppler US is an accurate tool for screening lymphadenopathies to be removed by excisional biopsy in patients with suspected lymphoma.
Picardi
Marco
M
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy.
Gennarelli
Nicola
N
Ciancia
Rosanna
R
De Renzo
Amalia
A
Gargiulo
Giovanna
G
Ciancia
Giuseppe
G
Sparano
Lucianna
L
Zeppa
Pio
P
Martinelli
Vincenzo
V
Pettinato
Guido
G
Lobello
Roberto
R
Pane
Fabrizio
F
Rotoli
Bruno
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*