FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATE OF PRIMARY LYMPHOMA OF BONE

Primary lymphoma of bone (PLB) is a rare bone tumor. Fine-needle aspir ates (FNA) were done on large destructive bone tumors from 2 elderly m en, and both were initially read as inconclusive for malignancy becaus e of scant cellularity. On retrospective study of the FNA slides after examining tissue histology, low numbers of diagnostic cells for lymph oma were recognized on the smears. There was extensive crush artifact, and most intact cells were stripped of their cytoplasm. In neither ca se was enough material harvested to make cell blocks or to perform spe cial studies. Tissue histology disclosed abundant fibroconnective tiss ue stroma which probably made it difficult to acquire adequate FNA spe cimens. Another FNA done on a postoperative PLB tissue specimen disclo sed similar features. Our experience in the 3 cases is consistent with the view that even though smears show scant cellularity, the diagnosi s of PLB can at least be suggested by FNA. It is therefore important n ot to undercall the specimen because of low cellularity, and recommend ation for tissue diagnosis can be given. This process is facilitated b y a high index of suspicion based on clinical and radiographic finding s. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.