Flow cytometry and the study of central nervous disease in patients with acute leukaemia

Central nervous system (CNS) leukaemia is still a matter of debate and new technologies are required to improve the classic morphological definition. One hundred and sixty-eight cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 31 patie nts with acute leukaemia were analysed by flow cytometry and conventional c ytology. Concordant positive and negative findings were found in 158 sample s but 10 produced discrepant results. Cytology seemed to offer more precise information in one CSF sample and flow cytometric accuracy could be demons trated in five samples. We conclude that flow cytometry is of great help in confirming CNS leukaemia and eliminating other conditions. Therefore, leuk aemic patients can benefit from double cytological and flow cytometric CSF studies.