Comparison of core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes for antemortem diagnosis of enzootic bovine lymphosarcoma in cattle.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether antemortem core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes could be used to distinguish between inflammation and lymphosarcoma in cattle.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
25 cattle with enlarged peripheral lymph nodes.


METHODS
Antemortem biopsies of the selected lymph nodes were performed with an 18-gauge, 12-cm core needle biopsy instrument. Fine-needle aspirates were performed with a 20-gauge, 4-cm needle. Specimens were analyzed by pathologists who were unaware of clinical findings and final necropsy findings, and specimens were categorized as reactive, neoplastic, or nondiagnostic for comparison with necropsy results.


RESULTS
Sensitivity and specificity of core needle biopsy ranged from 38% to 67% and from 80% to 25%, respectively. Sensitivity of fine-needle aspiration ranged from 41% to 53%, and specificity was 100%. Predictive values for positive test results ranged from 77% to 89% for core needle biopsy and were 100% for fine-needle aspiration. Predictive values for negative test results were low for both core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicated that core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration can aid in the antemortem diagnosis of bovine enzootic lymphosarcoma. Results of fine-needle aspiration of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes were more specific and more predictive for a positive test result than were results of core needle biopsy.
Washburn
Kevin E
KE
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
Streeter
Robert N
RN
Lehenbauer
Terry W
TW
Snider
Timothy A
TA
Rezabek
Grant B
GB
Ritchey
Jerry W
JW
Meinkoth
James H
JH
Allison
Robin W
RW
Rizzi
Theresa E
TE
Boileau
Melanie J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016583:Enzootic Bovine Leukosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity