Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology Material Research Articles

Diagnostic value of ultrasound guided transthoracic Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in bronchogenic carcinoma

Background: Transthoracic FNAC is regarded as the most effective of the cytological methods for diagnosing lung cancer, in particular peripherally-located lesions. Notably, it demonstrates high accuracy in distinguishing between small cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma, a clinically important differentiation. Aims & Objective: To assess the diagnostic value & safety of Ultrasound Guided Transthoracic Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology examination in Bronchogenic Carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Fine needle aspiration Cytology material from lung was obtained by Ultrasound Guided procedure from 31 suspected cases of malignant thoracic mass lesions on clinically & radiological work-up. Smear was made & stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin, Giemsa and Papanicoloua stain. Results: In the present study out of 31 cases, lung carcinoma was diagnosed in 28 cases (90.32 %). Out of 28 patients, 27 cases (96.42 %) were diagnosed to have Non-small cell lung carcinoma category (NSCLC) which was further classified into Adenocarcinoma 9 cases (29.63%) , Squamous cell carcinoma 8 cases (33.34%), Large Cell Carcinoma 3 cases (11.11%), Metastatic Carcinoma 2 cases (7.4%) and 5 cases (18.52 %) were unclassified. While only 1 case (3.58%) of Small Cell lung carcinoma category (SCLC) was diagnosed. In 2 cases inflammatory lesions were found and 1 case was inadequate for assessment. The diagnostic accuracy was 95%, sensitivity 96.55% and specificity 100% considering cytological criteria as the standard. Conclusion: We concluded that Transthoracic Fine Needle aspiration Cytology with Ultrasound guided procedure is simple, safe & cost effective diagnostic technique in Bronchiogenic Carcinoma, with early diagnosis and minimal complications.

Incidental Diagnosis of Filariasis in Superficial Location by FNAC: A Retrospective Study of 10 Years.

Filariasis, transmitted by the bite of various species of mosquito, is a common disease of tropical belt of the world. In South East Asia, including India, it is a major public health problem. The parasite is primarily confined to Lymphatic channel or lymph nodes where it can remain viable for more than two decades. The most common presentation of the disease is asymptomatic/ subclinical microfilaremia, Hydrocele, acute adeno-lymphangitis (ADL) and chronic lymphatic disease. However, the disease may rarely present as superficial swellings at unusual sites. Incidental findings of microfilaria on fine needle aspiration cytology in these situations, helps in prompt recognition of the disease. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the incidental diagnosis of Filariasis on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), done for swellings in superficial locations over last ten years at our institute. This retrospective study was conducted over a period of 10 years from April 2003 to March 2013 on the cases where FNAC was carried out on swellings in superficial locations of the body. Twenty cases of filariasis were diagnosed on routine FNAC material obtained from various superficial sites. Their data was retrieved and analyzed. Among the 20 cases diagnosed as filariasis on FNAC, six cases involved lymph nodes, six involved testiculo-scrotal region, three cases of thyroid swelling, soft tissue swelling in three cases and breast lump in two cases. On FNA smears, microfilariae were seen in all 20 cases, eggs in three cases, adult female worm in two cases and adult male worm in one case. Adherence of inflammatory cells and macrophages to microfilariae was noticed in 4 cases. Eosinophilia was present in seven cases. Microfilaremia was present in only three cases. Causative agent was Wuchereria bancrofti in all cases. Although not so common, filariasis should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis of a superficial swelling particularly if clear fluid is obtained on FNAC. Careful screening of smears plays a significant role in recognition of the disease even in asymptomatic patients.

An FNA cytology foam core device for making cell blocks

Cell block immunohistochemistry (IHC) and other molecular studies are often required to fully characterise tumours diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. These supplementary investigations are best done on cell...

Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology: An Advancing Horizon

The current practice of “Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) has established itself as an important modality in the diagnosis and management of superficial and deep seated lesions throughout the body. With this wide employment of FNAC, the cytopathologists play a pivotal role in the management and therapeutic decisions that are based on the diagnosis of these limited FNAC samples. Furthermore, the use of FNAC samples for biomarker research is advancing rapidly and is being widely investigated and applied for the treatment and prognostic purposes. In this special issue, we have made an attempt to provide a “flavor” of the current practice of FNAC with an emphasis on correlation of tissue biopsies with PET results, FNAC of breast, liver, pulmonary, and head and neck lesions. Similarly, the use of FNAC in the diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, neuritic leprosy, and granulomatous inflammation is also discussed. With the increasing use of image-assisted FNAC, pathologists are now an integral part in the diagnosis and management of the deep seated lesions. In lieu of this, it has become important for the pathologists to be aware of the limitations of different imaging techniques. The paper on the correlation of tissue biopsies with PET results discusses the limitations of an increased SUV value on PET scan. The use of fine needle aspiration cytology has been proven to give fast, economical, and valuable diagnosis of palpable breast lumps. In this issue, the role of FNAC in the evaluation of breast lump in a high patient volume center is addressed with emphasis on the importance of skill and training for both pathologists and technicians to prevent suboptimal sampling, thus, increasing the reliability of the procedure. Another important but not commonly discussed aspect of breast FNAC—the nonmalignant categories—is also addressed, with a review of the cytomorphology of benign breast lumps, some of which could be mistaken for malignancy due to the diaphanous appearance and overlapping cytologic features. The false negative and false positive FNAC is further discussed in detail so as to avert misinterpretation. These provide practical information for readers when dealing with FNAC of breast lesions. The paper on liver FNAC covers various aspects and discusses the role of FNAC in liver lesions. There is an active debate about the preoperative/pretransplantation diagnostic role of FNAC of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and precursor lesions, especially in the face of advances in dynamic imaging techniques. New trends in personalized molecular targeted therapy require better characterization and prediction of HCC behavior. FNAC biopsy technique is still the most minimally invasive approach for the procurement of tumor and peritumoral tissue for molecular studies. Thus, in the near future, hepatic FNAC is likely to become a point of care in the management of HCC patients, especially inoperable cases. In the current era of personalized medicine, the FNAC diagnosis of nonsmall cell carcinoma for a pulmonary nodule is no longer considered an adequate diagnosis. Pathologists are often required to further subclassify these in to adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. With the increasing use of image-assisted FNAC including endobronchial ultrasound guided FNAC (EBUS-FNA), cytologic or small biopsy material has become the only form of tissue available for diagnosis. The paper on FNAC of pulmonary lesions reviews the current concepts in the suitability and accuracy of FNAC in lung cancers including diagnosis, classification, use of ancillary techniques, and prognostic marker assessment. FNAC is a valuable technique in the workup of nodules and masses arising within the head and neck region. It is primarily utilized to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of malignancy involving head and neck organs especially lymph nodes, thyroid, and salivary glands. It has been shown that FNAC of salivary gland lesions is a valuable way to preoperatively assess lesional tissue, determine the need for surgical intervention, and assist in planning the appropriate surgical approach prior to resection. In this issue, the manuscript on cytologic diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma discusses the role of FNAC in the diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), the common malignant tumor affecting parotid gland. In addition, it also brings forth how the rare and recently described oncocytic variant can pose problems in the diagnosis of MEC. In conclusion, this special issue includes a potpourri of topics which provides a thoughtful glimpse into various techniques, diagnostic ability, and limitations of the current practice of FNAC. Darshana Jhala Aileen Wee Gary Tse Zubair Baloch

Artificial neural network in diagnosis of lobular carcinoma of breast in fine‐needle aspiration cytology

In this study, we applied artificial neural network (ANN) for the diagnosis of lobular carcinoma in fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) material. We selected a total of 64 cases of histology proven breast lesions consisting of 20 fibroadenomas, 28 infiltrating ductal carcinomas (IDC), and 16 infiltrating lobular carcinomas (ILC). Detailed cytomorphological features were studied on representative Haematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) and May-Grunwald Giemsa stained slides. Image morphometric analysis was performed on Haematoxylin-Eosin stained smears to study nuclear area, diameter, perimeter, roundness, convex area, and convex perimeter. Both the qualitative cytological features and objective morphometric data were collected and a total of 18 variables were studied. Back propagation ANN was designed and this data were used as input values. ANN network was designed as 34-17-3. There were a total of 34 first layers neurons, 17 hidden neurons and three output neurons. The total cases were randomly divided automatically by the program into three groups: training set (40), validation set (8), and test set (16). After the successful training, the program was able to differentiate all the benign and lobular carcinoma cases and majority of the ductal carcinoma cases. In test set, the ANN program successfully classified all the cases of benign, and ILC cases and six of seven IDC cases. A suitably designed ANN may be able to diagnose the lobular carcinoma of breast on FNAC material. ANN is an efficient software program with immense potential.

Primary Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the kidney: Report of a case diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology and confirmed by immunocytochemistry and RT‐PCR along with review of literature

Primary Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES/PNET) of the kidney is a distinct entity that can be mistaken for variety of round cell tumors. We report a rare case of ES/PNET of the kidney in a 35-year-old female patient diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Ultrasound guided FNAC smears from the kidney mass showed a population of malignant small round cells with perivascular arrangement and focal rosette formation. IHC performed on the cell block, showed strong immunopositivity for CD99 (MIC2) and vimentin. Molecular analysis of the aspirate by RT-PCR confirmed the EWS-FLI type1 transcript. The application of RT-PCR on FNAC material for establishing a diagnosis of renal ES/PNET is being reported for the first time. FNAC also confirmed metastases in the right level I cervical lymph node. The utility of IHC and molecular techniques in diagnosis of such a rare case is stressed and relevant literature is discussed.

Negative staining of mycobacteria - A clue to the diagnosis in cytological aspirates: Two case reports

Large amounts of lipids present in the cell wall of mycobacteria render them impermeable to dyes used in routine stains. Special staining techniques like Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN), Auromine Rhodamine are needed to demonstrate them. However, they may appear as negatively stained ghosts in Leishman, Giemsa, Hematoxylin and Eosin stain (H and E) and Gram stained smears. Awareness of this feature prompts one to look for mycobacteria by special techniques, even in the absence of cytological features of tuberculous infection like epithelioid granulomas and caseous necrosis. In this paper, we aim to present two cases showing negatively stained images in the lymphnode aspirates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients. A study has been done of two cases of HIV positive patients with cervical lymphadenopathy. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was carried out for them from the enlarged lymph nodes which revealed purulent material. Smears of FNAC material were prepared for histopathological examination. Fixed smears were stained with Papanicolaou stain and air dried smears were stained with Giemsa and ZN-stain and studied. Smear study showed scant cellularity, cells composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages. Background was necrotic. Giemsa stained smears showed, in addition to cells mentioned, negatively stained ghostly rod shaped structures in the cytoplasm of macrophages and also in the background. ZN-stain showed numerous acid fast bacilli. Both the aspirates were signed out as tuberculous lymphadenitis. In both the cases, cultures grew Mycobacterium avium Intracellulare. Classical cytological features of tuberculosis may not be present in immunocompromised patients and on the contrary there may be suppuration rich in neutrophils or sheets of histiocytes in tuberculosis. One may miss these cases if mycobacteria are not looked for specifically by special stains. Negatively stained ghost images of Tuberculous bacilli on different types of strains are a very helpful finding in such cases.

Cytological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of renal pelvis

Sir, Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the renal collecting system is rare. It is more frequently reported in the bladder and male urethra than in pelvis.[1] The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma among malignant renal tumors ranges widely from 0.5% to 0.8%.[2] It commonly occurs in patients with long standing renal calculi. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has become an important tool in diagnosing squamous cell carcinoma of the kidney. We would like to share our experience in diagnosing one such case on urine cytology and FNAC. A 50-year-old woman presented with left flank lump with pain and fever for two months. Physical examination was normal except for left-sided abdominal tenderness. Ultrasonography revealed hydronephrosis. Intravenous pyelography showed a functioning kidney with a slight left hydronephrosis and multiple calculi in the lower calyx. The patient was diagnosed to have hydronephrosis with calculi. We received four mL of straw colored urine, which was centrifuged, and smears were made from the sediment. On microscopic examination, urinary cytology was positive for malignant cells. Cytomorphological feature of squamous cell carcinoma was suggested [Figure 1]. Following this, ultrasound-guided FNAC of the lump was performed. Figure 1 Fine-needle aspiration cytology smear shows pleomorphic squamous cells in a hemorrhagic background (Giemsa stain, ×400) FNAC smears showed acute inflammatory cells, a few anucleate squames, necrotic cellular material, and a few isolated and occasional groups of epithelial tumor cells. The cells showed pleomorphism, central hyperchromatic nucleus with coarse irregular chromatin, and inconspicuous nucleoli; irregular nuclear outlines and mild to moderate amount of ground-glass–like basophilic cytoplasm were also observed. Occasional tadpole cells were also seen in a hemorrhagic background [Figure 2]. Considering the above features, a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was made. Figure 2 Urine smear shows benign urothelial cells and pleomorphic squamous cells (Giemsa stain, ×400) Renal FNAC can produce an accurate diagnosis in most cases. FNAC when practiced in a multidisciplinary setting with direct involvement of pathologists, radiologists and clinicians is an extremely accurate, well-tolerated, relatively noninvasive, and low-risk test that obviates the needs for surgical intervention in most benign conditions and disseminated malignancy. Therefore, by taking an active role with onsite assessment of the FNAC material and discussion with radiologist colleagues, the cytopathologist can offer a FNAC service comparable to surgical pathology in sensitivity and very similar to frozen section in specificity.[3] Squamous cell carcinoma is estimated to represent 9%–20% of all tumors of the renal pelvis. Urinary calculi are accepted as main carcinogenic risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma. Chronic irritation and infection are believed to induce infective changes in the urothelium and lead to neoplasm via metaplasia and leucoplakia. Uretral obstruction is the main cause of the presenting symptom. Squamous cell carcinoma of upper urinary tract is generally considered as an aggressive tumor. Treatment of choice is nephrectomy with total ureterectomy, including bladder cuff around the ureteral orifice.[4] Chemotherapy conveys little benefit and value of radiotherapy is debatable. We have reported this case to highlight the fact that imaging techniques usually reveal only calculi and hydronephrosis, but FNAC can provide us with an accurate diagnosis of the underlying malignanacy.

Nuclear planimetry on the samples from cytologically overlapping proliferative breast lesions

Differentiation of low-grade breast carcinomas from fibroadenomas with atypia on fine-needle aspiration cytology material may sometimes be problematic. In some cytological samples of these lesions, both the nuclei of cells and patterns of cell clusters display substantial overlapping morphological characteristics. Nuclear morphometry on cytological material is suggested as an ancillary method for the differential diagnosis in many lesions, including breast tumors. Twenty-five cytological samples obtained from patients with breast lesions, which were histopathologically confirmed as grade I ductal carcinomas ( n=10), tubular carcinomas ( n=5), and fibroadenomas with atypia ( n=10), were utilized in this study. Eight geometric features of about 2002 nuclei from these tumors were measured. Discriminant analysis was performed on this data set in order to test the correct classification based on the eight measured variables. Statistical analyses were carried out with two fundamentally different approaches: in the first one, the entire data from all measured nuclei were used for classification. In the second one, a subset of data representing the 10% most deviated values of variables was extracted from the entire dataset to simulate the “selective examination” performed during classical morphologic evaluation. When the entire data was used in discriminant analysis, the overall performance in the correct classification rate was found to be approximately 50%, which was considered an unacceptable value in routine diagnostic practice. In the subset of data constructed with our systematic and reproducible “selection bias”, the overall performance of correct classification rate of the same discriminant model improved substantially to 97%. Morphologic examination is actually based on selection. The use of data obtained from all of the cells in morphometry, as previously used in nearly all of the statistical methods, may cause a masking effect in diagnostically important features. Morphometric studies may seem to be useless when this effect is not taken into account. However, with a systematic and reproducible selection of the values with a proper “bias”, morphometry may provide some discriminatory information in overlapping lesions.

Invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast with signet‐ring cell and mucinous carcinoma components: Diagnostic utility of immunocytochemistry of signet‐ring cells in aspiration cytology materials

Breast cancer with signet-ring cells is very rare. In this article, we present a case of invasive ductal carcinoma with signet-ring cells and mucinous carcinoma components, which could be diagnosed as a primary cancer by immunocytochemical study of fine-needle aspiration cytology material. A 73-yr-old Japanese woman noticed a palpable mass in the left breast. The aspiration cytology disclosed the monotonous proliferation of signet-ring cell with cytological atypia. The immunocytochemical examination of neoplastic cells showed a positive reaction for estrogen receptor. The extensive examination of body before the operation did not disclose any tumors in other anatomic sites. The histological examination of surgically resected breast tumor showed invasive ductal carcinoma with foci of signet-ring cell and mucinous carcinomas. Finally, our preliminary report suggests that immunocytochemical examination of aspiration cytology materials may provide useful information in searching the primary site of breast carcinoma with signet-ring cells.

Fine needle aspiration of epididymal nodules in Chandigarh, north India: an audit of 228 cases

Epididymal nodules are not infrequently encountered in surgical practice. These are generally small and slippery and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is not easy. But as it is rapid and less traumatic than a biopsy, this is a favoured technique in the assessment of epididymal nodules. In the present study, all the cases of epididymal nodules aspirated from January 1998 to August 2004 were retrieved from the cytology files of the Department of Cytology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. A total of 228 cases were retrieved and divided as follows: tuberculous epididymitis 70 (30.7%), non-specific inflammation 10 (4.4%), microfilaria 2 (0.9%), hydrocele 26 (11.4%), spermatocele 42 (18.4%), spermatic granulomas 12 (5.3%), adenomatoid tumour 3 (1.3%), leiomyosarcoma 1 (0.4%) and lipoma 1 (0.4%). Thirty-six (15.8%) cases were labelled as benign aspirate not otherwise specified. FNAC material was inadequate for opinion in 22 (9.65%) cases and three (1.3%) cases revealed evidence of a haematoma. FNAC was useful in the diagnosis of 90.3% of cases, thereby avoiding surgical biopsy and other investigations. Therefore, FNAC has an important role in the differential diagnosis of epididymal nodules as it can detect malignancy and benign conditions such as tuberculosis and acute and chronic epididymo-orchitis.

Combined applications of fine needle aspiration cytology and Flow cytometric immunphenotyping for diagnosis and classification of non Hodgkin Lymphoma

Aims and objectivesIn this present study we have evaluated the feasibility of sub-classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cases according to World Health Organization's (WHO) classification on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) material along with flow cytometric immunotyping (FCI) as an adjunct.Materials and methodsIn this five years study, only cases suggested or confirmed as NHL by FNAC were selected and FCI was performed with a complete panel of antibodies (CD3, CD2, CD 4, CD5, CD8, CD7, CD10, CD19, CD20, CD23, CD45, κ and λ) by dual color flow cytometry. Both cytologic findings and FCI data were interpreted together to diagnose and sub-classify NHL according to WHO classification. Wherever possible the diagnoses were compared with cytology.ResultsThere were total 48 cases included in this study. The cases were classified on FNAC as predominant small cells (12), mixed small and large cells (5) and large cells (26). In five cases a suggestion of NHL was offered on FNAC material and these cases were labeled as NHL not otherwise specified (NHL-NOS). Flow cytometry could be performed in 45 cases (93.8%) and in rest of the three cases the material was inadequate because of scanty blood mixed aspirate. Light chain restriction was demonstrated in 30 cases out of 40 cases of B-NHL (75%). There were 15 cases each of κ and λ light chain restriction in these 30 cases. With the help of combined FCI and FNAC, it was possible to sub-classify 38 cases of NHL (79%) according to WHO classification. Combined FNAC and FCI data helped to diagnose 9 cases of small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), 2 cases of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), 4 cases of follicular lymphoma (FL), 17 cases of diffuse large B lymphoma (DLBL) and 6 cases of lymphoblastic lymphoma. Histopathology diagnosis was available in 31 cases of NHL out of which there were 14 recurrent and 17 cases of primary NHL. Out of 15 DLBL cases diagnosed on FCI and FNAC, histology confirmed 14 cases and one of these cases was diagnosed as Burkitt's lymphoma on histology. Cases of FL (4), SLL (3) and MCL (2) were well correlated with histopathology. Out of the five cases suggestive of NHL on cytology, histopathology was available in four cases. Histology diagnosis was given as DLBL (1), SLL (1), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (1) and FL transformed into large cell NHL (1). Considering histopathology as gold standard, diagnostic specificity of combined FNAC and FCI was 100% (31/31) and sensitivity in sub-classification was 83.8% (26/31).ConclusionFNAC combined with FCI may be helpful in accurately sub-classifying NHL according to WHO classification. Many of the subtypes of NHL such as FL and MCL which were previously recognized as a pure morphologic entity can be diagnosed by combined use of FNAC and FCI. Other ancillary investigations such as chromosomal changes, cell proliferation markers etc. may be helpful in this aspect.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma

In this article we described the fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of five cases of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). There were four cases of metastatic lymph nodes and one case of metastatic skin lesion. All of the TCC cases were primarily in the urinary bladder and were high grade on histopathology (grade 3). Three cases showed bladder muscle involvement and two cases showed superficial TCC at the time of primary diagnosis. FNAC smears showed abundant cellularity. The cells were present in discrete and small syncytial clusters. Nuclear position of the cell was central to eccentric. Many cells showed prominent nucleoli. Cercariform cells (CCs) were noted in four cases. These cells are malignant cells with a nucleated globular body and a unipolar nontapering cytoplasmic process. Two cases showed intranuclear inclusions. Prominent cytoplasmic vacuoles were noted in three cases. In addition, cell cannibalism and attempted pearl formations were noted in two cases.In conclusion, clinical history along with the certain cytological features such as the presence of CCs, cells with eccentric nuclei, and intranuclear inclusions are helpful to diagnose metastatic TCC on FNAC material.

In vivo and ex vivo ultrasound, fine needle aspiration and molecular biology of sentinel nodes (SN) in melanoma patients

7522 Background: Final data of a prospective study covering the largest number of SNs examined so far. The recently introduced SN technique allows for detection of micrometastases thus enabling an early staging and characterizing of patients likely to benefit from adjuvant therapies. Method: Over 2 years 136 sentinel nodes of 127 melanoma patients scheduled for sentinel node biopsy (SLND) were examined by in vivo and ex vivo ultrasound (US), fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and tyrosinase RT-PCR. Confirmation by US and measurement of the excised sentinel node. Blood samples of all pts. were tested for tyrosinase by RT-PCR for minimal residual disease. Results: Patients median age 58 yrs., tumor thickness median 3,14mm. 114/127 pts. had 1 SN, 12 pts. 2 SN, 1 patient 3 SN, 1 patient 4 SN. SN size on median 842mm3 in vivo, 714mm3 in vitro. After visualizing and evaluating by US, the SN is punctured and cells are aspirated. FNAC material is partly shock frozen for RT-PCR, partly used for cytology. The excised lymph node was examined by the same procedures. In vivo ultrasound achieved a sensitivity of 78,8% [95% CI.: 61–91] and specificity of 71,6% [95% CI.: 61–81%]. FNAC alone showed a sensitivity of 58,1% [39,1–75,5%] and specificity of 98,7% [92,7–100%]. The in vivo PCR for tyrosinase revealed a sensitivity of 48,5% [30,8–66,5%] and specificity of 97,7% [91,8–99,7%]. By combining all three in vivo methods an overall sensitivity of 81,8% [64,5–93%] and specificity of 71,6% [61–80,7%] was achieved. RT-PCR from peripheral blood reliably depicted pts prior to metastases. Conclusion: US and FNAC is not able to replace SLND with histology, but delivers important additional information prior to SLND since it can identify metastases in all lymph node basins. Patients with positive FNAC may directly undergo elective lymph node dissection, important time is gained. US-FNAC of SN can be performed in all patients refusing operation, in an inoperable status, with a tumor thickness ≤1mm and in departments without know-how of SLND. The method is reproducible, well tolerated, has extremely low risk of spreading tumor cells, infection or other side effects at low cost. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Liquid-Based Cytology in Breast Fine Needle Aspiration

To compare the various cytologic features on AutoCyte Prep (ACP) (AutoCyte, Inc., Burlington, North Carolina, U.S.A.) and conventional preparation (CP) specimens from breast fine needle aspiration cytology material with a semi-quantitative scoring system. A total of 100 randomized cases were studied. In each case, 2 passes were performed. One pass was used for CPs (Giemsa and Papanicolaou stain). The other pass produced material for the ACP technique and Papanicolaou stain. Both the conventional and liquid-based preparations were studied independently by two observers and compared for cellularity, obscuring and/or informing background, representative diagnostic material, preservation of cytomorphologic features, presence of monolayer cells and architectural arrangement. Comparing the two preparations, the results were as follows: (1) ACP was superior to CP in 2 features, lack of obscuring background and presence of monolayer arrangement with preservation of cell architecture; (2) ACP was inferior to CP in 1 feature, lack of informing background; and (3) ACP was equal, with small deviations, to CP in the rest of the features evaluated: cellularity, representative diagnostic material, preservation of cell morphology and architectural arrangement. The new technology of liquid-based cytology in breast FNA showed a good correlation with CP plus the advantages of: (1) easier and less time consuming evaluation of cell morphology (clear background, no overlapping, smaller area to screen); (2) reproducibility, a factor of great importance to quality control; and (3) possibility of adjunctive investigations (immunocytology, flow cytometry) on the same material.

Diagnosis of skeletal lymphoma and myeloma by radiology and fine needle aspiration cytology.

Diagnosis of skeletal lymphoma and myeloma by radiology and fine needle aspiration cytology From 1986 to 1998, all patients referred to Karolinska Hospital because of a skeletal destruction of unknown origin routinely underwent radiographic examination and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Among these, there were 83 patients with solitary lesions of the bone diagnosed and treated for myeloma (plasmacytoma) or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Review of the series showed that myeloma could not be distinguished radiographically from lymphoma. Nor could low and high grade lymphoma lesions be discriminated by radiographic appearance. The diagnostic utility of plain radiography in the two conditions seems to be confined to the mere detection of a destructive bone lesion and visual guidance for FNAC. The latter aspect, however, is crucial for the application of FNAC to bone lesions. Review of the cytologic specimens obtained by FNAC showed that they allowed a conclusive diagnosis in all 40 myeloma cases and in 41 of 43 lymphoma cases. In 32 of the 40 myeloma cases, the FNAC material could be used for immunocytochemistry, which disclosed kappa or lambda light chain restriction, corroborating the cytomorphological diagnosis. Thirty-eight lymphomas were characterized immunologically and in 35, a light chain restriction could be demonstrated. Our results show that the use of FNAC in the diagnosis of primary myeloma and lymphoma of bone obviates the need for other diagnostic modalities, including open biopsy. A combined approach based on radiology and FNAC, performed as an out-patient procedure, offers rapid and accurate diagnosis of myeloma and lymphoma among patients with radiographically unclassified destructive bone lesions.

Comparison of ThinPrep and Conventional Preparations on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology Material

To compare the various cytologic features on ThinPrep 2000 (TP) (Cytyc Corporation, Marlborough, Massachusetts, U.S.A.) and conventional preparation (CP) specimens from fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) material by a semiquantitative scoring system. In this prospective study a total of 71 consecutive cases were included. In each case, two passes were performed. The first pass was used for conventional preparations, with direct smears made and fixed immediately in 95% alcohol for Papanicolaou stain. For TP preparation a second pass produced material for processing in the ThinPrep 2000. The TP and CP slides were studied independently by two observers and representative slides of CP and TP compared for cellularity, background blood and necrotic cell debris, cell architecture, informative background, presence of monolayer cells, and nuclear and cytoplasmic details by a semiquantitative scoring system. Statistical analysis was performed by Wilcoxon's signed rank test on an SPSS program (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.). TP preparations contained adequate diagnostic cells in all cases and were tangibly superior to CP preparations concerning monolayer cells, absence of blood and necrosis, and preservation of nuclear and cytoplasmic detail (statistically significant, Wilcoxon's signed rank test, P < .000). TP preparations are superior to conventional preparations with regard to clear background, monolayer cell preparation and cell preservation. It is easier and less time consuming to screen and interpret TP preparations because the cells are limited to smaller areas on clear backgrounds, with excellent cellular preservation. However, TP preparations are more expensive than CP and require some experience for interpretation.

Quantitation of spermatogenesis by DNA flow cytometry from fine-needle aspiration cytology material.

DNA flow cytometry (FCM) was performed from fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of testis in 15 cases of male infertility to quantitate spermatogenesis. The results were correlated with FNAC findings. DNA FCM showed a ploidy relationship of haploid (1N) > diploid (2N) > tetraploid (4N) in cases of normal spermatogenesis. A ploidy relation of 2N > 1N > 4N was observed in cases of hypospermatogenesis or maturation arrest. In Sertoli cell-only cases, there were only 2N populations of cells. With the help of DNA FCM, a rapid and objective assessment of spermatogenesis is possible from FNAC of the testis.

Immunocytochemical analysis of poorly differentiated tumors on fine needle aspiration cytology material

Immunocytochemical analysis of poorly differentiated tumors on fine needle aspiration cytology material

Diagnosis of metastases from testicular germ cell tumours using fine needle aspiration cytology.

The cytological features of testicular germ cell tumours were established in smears from 15 freshly resected tumours. These features were applied to the fine needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of metastases in 27 patients referred for chemotherapy. There were 16 positive reports in 32 aspirates of which 13 were taken before chemotherapy and three in patients with residual or new masses after chemotherapy. Teratomas and typical seminomas showed certain characteristic morphological features in cytological preparations which when present in fine needle aspiration cytology material enabled tumour types to be diagnosed. Spermatocytic and anaplastic seminoma were not represented in this series. It is unlikely that these could be distinguished from malignant teratoma undifferentiated (MTU) in the fine needle aspiration cytology material. Metastases from carcinomatous areas in MTU and malignant teratoma intermediate (MTI) may not be distinguishable in fine needle aspiration cytology material from metastatic adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma from a different primary site. Positive cytological findings are of value to the oncologist in the management of patients with metastases from testicular germ cell tumours; negative cytology does not exclude the presence of viable tumour. The sampling of small foci of viable tumour in large necrotic masses persisting after chemotherapy is a problem for radiologists, cytologists, and histopathologists. This paper does not advocate the use of fine needle aspiration cytology for the diagnosis of primary testicular tumour.