Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How lymph node cytology helps diagnose dogs and cats
By Amores-Fuster, I et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2015·Small Animal Teaching Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The diagnostic utility of lymph node cytology samples in dogs and cats.
Plain-English summary
A dog or cat with swollen lymph nodes may need a fine needle aspirate (FNA) to check for issues like infections or tumors. In a review of over 1,400 samples, most dogs had diagnostic results, with lymphoma being the most common finding, while most cats showed reactive hyperplasia, which is often a response to infection or inflammation. However, some samples did not provide clear results due to issues like low cell yield or cell damage. Improving how these samples are taken could help vets get better diagnoses.
People also search for: dog swollen lymph nodes diagnosis · cat lymph node fine needle aspirate results · lymphoma in dogs symptoms
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine common reasons for lymph node fine needle aspirates, cytological diagnoses reported and the frequency and reasons for non-diagnostic samples from dogs and cats. METHODS: Retrospective study of computerised records of fine needle aspirate samples submitted to NationWide Laboratories (UK) between April 2009 and May 2011 to identify lymph node samples. Reason for sampling, sample quality, diagnosis achieved and reason for non-diagnostic samples were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 1473 records were available for review. Of 1274 canine samples, 928 (72 · 8%) were diagnostic and 346 (27 · 2%) were non-diagnostic. Of 199 feline samples, 171 (85 · 9%) samples were diagnostic and 28 (14 · 1%) were non-diagnostic. The most common reasons for sample submission in both species were investigation of lymphadenopathy (alone or in combination with other clinical signs) or tumour staging. In dogs, the most common diagnosis was lymphoma (351, 27 · 5%), and in cats, reactive hyperplasia (63, 31 · 6%). Absence of cells, cell disruption and low yield were the most common causes of non-diagnostic samples. Submission of the history did not affect the probability of reaching a cytological diagnosis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Lymph node cytology is a useful diagnostic procedure but educating veterinarians to improve sampling and smearing may increase diagnostic yield.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25482570/