[Do ultrasound-guided core needle biopsies of lymph nodes allow for subclassification of malignant lymphomas?].
OBJECTIVE
We examined how often ultrasound-guided core needle biopsies of lymph nodes yield subclassification of malignant lymphoma according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and help to avoid excisional biopsies.


METHODS
The prospective study included 124 consecutive patients in whom 126 core needle biopsies of lymph nodes were performed to diagnose or rule out malignant lymphoma. If possible, we obtained 5 cylinders with a 14-gauge (G) needle. The pathologists of our institution, partly in cooperation with a lymphoma registry, decided whether a core needle biopsy was sufficient for subclassification or an excisional biopsy was necessary.


RESULTS
95 of the 126 core needle biopsies (76.6 %) were performed with a 14-G needle. In 101 biopsies (80.2 %), we obtained at least 5 cylinders. In 120 of the 126 core needle biopsies (95 %), malignant lymphoma was diagnosed and subclassified or ruled out. Of the 64 lymphoma, 60 (94 %) were subclassified. Among them were 41 (93 %) of the 44 primary lymphomas and 19 (95 %) of the 20 recurrent lymphomas. In 5 of 126 cases (4 %), an excisional biopsy was necessary.


CONCLUSIONS
With ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of lymph nodes, lymphoma can be reliably diagnosed and subclassified if preferably 5 cores are obtained with 14-G needles. Excisional biopsy is rarely necessary if core needle biopsy is inconclusive.
Demharter
J
J
Klinik für Diagnostische Radiologie und Neuroradiologie, Klinikum Augsburg, Augsburg.
Neukirchen
S
S
Wagner
T
T
Schlimok
G
G
Bohndorf
K
K
Kirchhof
K
K
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000473:pathology*; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography