title: Comparison of results of clinicians' assessments, cytologic examination of fine-needle lymph node aspirates, and flow cytometry for determination of remission status of lymphoma in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine interclinician agreement when assessing remission of lymphoma in dogs and the association among results of clinicians' assessments via lymph node palpation, cytologic examination of fine-needle lymph node aspirates, and flow cytometry as determinants of remission.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  23 dogs with untreated lymphoma. PROCEDURE; Two clinicians independently measured large lymph nodes and cytologic examination and flow cytometry of cells from a mandibular or popliteal lymph node were performed 1 week prior to initiating treatment. Lymph node measurements with clinicians' remission assessments and cytologic examination were repeated at weeks 2, 3, and 5; flow cytometry was repeated at week 5.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant correlation was identified between clinicians' remission assessments. Significant correlation between lymph node palpation and cytologic examination was identified at week 5, but not at weeks 2 and 3. Lymphoma was diagnosed in 16 of 23 (70%) dogs at initial evaluation by use of flow cytometry, although it was of limited use at subsequent evaluations and results were not diagnostic of lymphoma in any dog at week 5, including 1 dog in which lymphoma was diagnosed cytologically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggested that physical examination and measurement of lymph node volume may not be sufficient for accurately determining remission, that flow cytometry alone should not be relied on as a means for diagnosis, and that cytologic examination of fine-needle lymph node aspirates should be considered as the most accurate means of determining remission status at times in which treatment modifications are considered.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
authors.forename: Laurel E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Maia Tcheng
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Broussard
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity