Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How mesenteric lymph node biopsy helps diagnose intestinal lymphoma
By Marconato, Laura et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2024·Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The diagnostic relevance of mesenteric lymph node biopsy in small intestinal lymphoma in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 100 cats with suspected intestinal lymphoma underwent biopsies of their small intestines and nearby lymph nodes to see how well the lymph nodes could help diagnose the disease. The study found that while many lymph nodes showed signs of cancer, a significant number of cats with small cell lymphoma did not have affected lymph nodes. This suggests that relying only on lymph nodes for diagnosis can be misleading, especially for certain types of lymphoma. The researchers recommend using full-thickness biopsies of the intestines for a more accurate diagnosis.
People also search for: cat intestinal lymphoma symptoms · cat lymph node biopsy results · how to diagnose lymphoma in cats
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Regional lymph nodes are frequently sampled in cats with suspected intestinal lymphoma; however, their diagnostic value has not been explored. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of mesenteric lymph nodes correlates with the diagnosis of intestinal lymphoma in cats. ANIMALS: One hundred 2 client-owned cats diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma. METHODS: Retrospective study. The inclusion criteria required a full-thickness biopsy of the small intestine and concurrent excision of mesenteric lymph nodes. Histologic and immunophenotypic analyses were performed on intestinal biopsies and corresponding lymph nodes. Selected nodal samples diagnosed with reactive lymph nodes underwent clonality testing. RESULTS: Transmural T-cell lymphomas, encompassing small and large cell types, were predominant (64 cases, 62.7%), with large B-cell lymphomas being more frequently transmural (68.8%) than mucosal (31.2%). Among all lymph nodes examined, 44 (43.1%; 95% CI: 33.9%-52.8%) exhibited neoplastic infiltration. Among cases of small cell lymphoma, 51 out of 72 (70.8%; 95% CI: 59.4%-80.1%) showed no nodal involvement. Clonality results correctly identified 19/30 (63.3%; 95% CI: 45.5%-78.2%) reactive lymph nodes. Concerns were raised regarding clonal identification in the remaining cases and potential misdiagnoses based on phenotypic characteristics. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The study underscores the potential drawbacks of relying solely on mesenteric lymph nodes for diagnosing intestinal lymphomas in cats, particularly small cell subtypes. It emphasizes the importance of full-thickness biopsies for assessing transmural infiltration and recommends caution when utilizing mesenteric lymph nodes for histologic, immunohistochemical and clonality evaluations in mucosal lymphomas. Despite limitations, this research highlights the need for comprehensive diagnostic strategies in cats with intestinal lymphoma.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38858174/