FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION OF PLASMA-CELL DISORDERS - SPECIAL EMPHASIS ONPLASMA-CELL SUBTYPE

Fine-needle aspiration cytology and clinical presentations of 16 cases of plasma cell dyscrasias (PCD) have been studied in a period of 6 yr . There were seven cases of solitary plasmacytomas of bones, two cases of extramedullary plasmacytomas, and seven cases of multiple myelomas . Differential counts of mature and immature plasma cells along with p resence of cell clumps, mitosis, and bi/multinucleations were studied. The cytological findings revealed no correlation with the different s ubtypes of PCDs; however, it was helpful in the differential diagnosis . Bone marrowing findings, immunological parameters, available histopa thology, and X-ray appearances were analysed Clinical diagnosis of PCD s were made in only three cases. Thus fine-needle aspiration biopsy wa s considered as an important diagnostic modality in tissue diagnosis o f plasma cell tumors, particularly in solitary plasmacytoma of bone an d extramedullary plasmacytoma. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.