Cytomorphologic and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid with T-Cell Lymphoma Involvement: A Retrospective Study of Rare Cases

Acta Cytologica
Irem OnurZahra Maleki

Abstract

To compare the efficacy of conventional cytomorphologic analysis and flow cytometry (FC) in the diagnosis of T-cell lymphoma in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We performed a retrospective review of CSF samples from 2002 to 2012 that showed involvement of a T-cell lymphoma, either by cytomorphologic analysis and/or FC. Patients' demographics, clinical history and follow-up were assessed. Thirty-nine CSF samples were identified from 9 patients. A definitive diagnosis of T-cell lymphoma involvement was made by cytomorphologic analysis and FC in 6 (15.4%) and 39 (100.0%) specimens, respectively. In specimens with definitive cytopathologic diagnoses, the cytomorphologic features included increased cellularity, a monotonous lymphoid population and large, atypical lymphoid cells. Considering cytomorphologic features only, 9 specimens demonstrated atypical lymphocytes not fulfilling the criteria for malignancy, and 24 specimens were negative for malignancy. CSF with T-cell lymphoma involvement may yield paucicellular or acellular specimens depending on the volume of the CSF, the time interval between specimen collection and specimen processing and the application of preservative to CSF. The rate of detection of T-cell lymphoma in the C...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

CSF & Lymphatic System

This feed focuses on Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) and the lymphatic system. Discover the latest papers using imaging techniques to track CSF outflow into the lymphatic system in animal models.