Lymph Node Cytology Flashcards
Why would you do cytology on LNs?
- to investigate LNs adjacent to neoplasia or where neoplasia has been removed
- investigating cause of localized or generalized LN enlargement (lymphadenopathy)
When aspirating LNs, what are some common findings?
- Normal
- Hyperplasia/reactive change
- Inflammation/necrosis
- Lymphoma
- Non-lymphoid (metastatic) neoplasia
What are normal LN findings on cytology?
small, mature lymphocytes - 80-90%
large lymphocytes - 5-10% of nucleated cells
Variable numbers of RBCs
What is present here?
Lymphoblast
What is present here?
Plasma cells
What is present here?
Macrophage
Reactive LN’s typically show…
- an increase in large lymphocytes
- mild increase in lymphoblasts, macrophages, plasma cells, inflammatory cells
What occurs when a LN becomes reactive?
node swells & becomes congested
Germinal centers are activated
Increased recruitment of macrophages & lymphocytes
In lymphoma, what cells are increased and which ones are not?
Macrophages increase
Plasma cells do not
What is lymphadenitis?
nodes in which inflammation or necrosis are present
What is karyolysis?
When a neutrophil loses its sharp nuclear outline & begins to swell and becomes pale
Due to bacterial toxins in the vicinity
What type of inflammation/ necrosis of a LN is present here?
Karyolysis
What is karyorrhexis?
When the nucleus dissolves into severe pyknotic spheres
Considered an aging process
What type of inflammation/ necrosis of a LN is present here?
Karyorrhexis
What is lymphoma?
malignant clonal proliferation of 1+ lymphoid cell lines which originates in lymphoid tissue outside the BM
What types of cells are present at the arrows that are commonly found in lymphomas?
Lymphoglandular bodies
