Value of flow cytometry in the evaluation of head and neck fine-needle lymphoid aspirates: a 3-year retrospective review of a community-based practice.
OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical efficacy of flow cytometry in patients suspected of having a lymphoma with head and neck pathology. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of 49 patients with lymphoid aspirates having concurrent flow cytometry studies. SETTING: Private practice office-based study. CONCLUSION: Fine-needle aspiration with concurrent flow cytometry is a useful, convenient adjunct to the diagnosis of head and neck non-Hodgkins lymphomas. SIGNIFICANCE: Flow cytometry is a significant improvement over fine-needle aspiration derived cytologic diagnosis alone. Tissue open biopsy may be avoided altogether in some patients with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.