Diagnostic utility of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in HIV‐infected patients with lymphadenopathy

Abstract

Reid a. j. c., miller r. f. and kocjan g. i. (1998) Cytopathology9, 230–239 Diagnostic utility of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in HIV‐infected patients with lymphadenopathy Sixty‐five FNA cytology procedures were performed on lymph nodes in 52 HIV⁺ patients. Cervical lymph nodes were the commonest site of FNA cytology investigation (54%). The diagnoses were persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (38%), infection (17%), and malignancy (11%). Diagnosis could not be rendered in 25% of FNA cytology due to inadequate sampling. Of those with infection, mycobacterial disease was the commonest cause (91%), the diagnosis of which was enhanced by concurrent microbiological examination. Non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma was the commonest malignancy. Sixteen lymph node FNA cytologies had subsequent tissue biopsy. There were two false‐positive and four false‐negative FNA cytologies. FNA cytology in HIV⁺ patients is most useful in the diagnosis of infection, obviating the need for tissue biopsy and allowing prompt initiation of treatment.