Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in nodular sclerosis variant of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of nodular sclerosis variant of Hodgkin's lymphoma (NSHL) and to analyze cytologic features that could help in subtyping a case of Hodgkin's lymphoma into this variant.


METHODS
FNAC smears of 18 histopathologically proven cases of NSHL were analyzed for a variety of features.


RESULTS
On initial cytologic assessment, 14 of 18 cases were diagnosed as Hodgkin's lymphoma. No further subtyping was performed. In this retrospective analysis it was possible to revise the diagnosis in the remaining 4 cases. Of the various cytologic features analyzed, presence of numerous lacunar-type cells along with fibroblasts and collagenous material were useful pointers toward a diagnosis of nodular sclerosis variant. Fibroblasts were seen in 83.33%, collagenous material in 27.77% and numerous lacunar cells in 77.77%.


CONCLUSIONS
Subtyping of NSHL based on cytologic features alone has been a matter of debate for a long time. Of the various subtypes, nodular sclerosis poses the greatest diagnostic difficulty. Though certain cytologic features may help in suggesting a diagnosis of nodular sclerosis variant, the primary role of fine needle aspiration is to diagnose a case of Hodgkin's lymphoma as such and advise histopathologic examination for further categorization.
Jogai
Sanjay
S
Departments of Cytology and Histopathology, Kuwait Cancer Control Center, Shuwaikh, Kuwait.
Dey
Pranab
P
Al Jassar
Aisha
A
Amanguno
H G
HG
Adesina
Aaron O
AO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012598:Sclerosis