Fine Needle Aspiration Cytopathology of Lymph Nodes

Course Author:
Paul Wakely, Jr., MD, FASCP
Professor, Department of Pathology, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH

MOC^[?]: MK
Intended Audience: Pathologists, Residents, Pathologist Assistants, Cytotechnologists

Lymphadenopathy represents a major source of morphologic material for pathologic diagnosis in cytopathology laboratories. This eCourse covers the advantages and limitations of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy for evaluation of lymphadenopathy and related topics. A practical morphologic approach to cytopathologic diagnosis can be applied to the diagnosis of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, some benign lymphadenopathies and lymphoma. To that end, the cells that constitute a reactive process, infectious/inflammatory conditions and lymphomas are described. The current WHO classification method of non-Hodgkin lymphoma has placed FNA in a position to more accurately diagnose lymphoma than ever before. A review of this classification and the role off immunophenotyping in lymphoma diagnosis are presented. Additionally, the key morphologic features allowing for differentiation between neoplasms that mimic cytopathology of lymphoma are described.

The eCourse discusses the following conditions in this context:

• Infectious mononucleosis
• Rosai-Dorfman disease
• Hodgkin's Lymphoma
• Cat-scratch disease
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Pediatric lymphomas

The ASCP designates these educational activities for a maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activities.

These activities meet MOC Part II Lifelong Learning requirements. These activities meet MOC Part II Self-Assessment Module requirements.

ASCP designates these activities for a maximum of 2.5 CMLE credits. These activities meet CMP and state licensure requirements for laboratory personnel.