Single-Tube Flow Cytometry Assay for the Detection of Mature Lymphoid Neoplasms in Paucicellular Samples.
OBJECTIVE
Flow cytometry (FC) has become a useful support for cytomorphologic evaluation (CM) of fine-needle aspirates (FNA) and serous cavity effusions (SCE) in cases of suspected non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). FC results may be hampered by the scarce viability and low cellularity of the specimens.


METHODS
We developed a single-tube FC assay (STA) that included 10 antibodies cocktailed in 8-color labeling, a cell viability dye, and a logical gating strategy to detect NHL in hypocellular samples. The results were correlated with CM and confirmed by histologic or molecular data when available.


RESULTS
Using the STA, we detected B-type NHL in 31 out of 103 hypocellular samples (81 FNA and 22 SCE). Of these, 8 were not confirmed by CM and 2 were considered to be only suspicious. The FC-negative samples had a final diagnosis of benign/reactive process (42/72), carcinoma (27/72), or Hodgkin lymphoma (3/72).


CONCLUSIONS
The STA approach allowed obtainment of maximum immunophenotyping data in specimens containing a low number of cells and a large amount of debris. The information obtained by STA can help cytomorphologists not only to recognize but also to exclude malignant lymphomas.
Flow Cytometry Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy.
Alessandra
A
Stacchini
Anna
A
Demurtas
Sabrina
S
Aliberti
Antonella
A
Barreca
Domenico
D
Novero
Donatella
D
Pacchioni
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult