Flow cytometry is superior to conventional cytology in the surveillance evaluation of paucicellular cerebrospinal fluids

Worldwide cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and high incidence is reported from India. Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) provides good morphology for detection of cellular abnormalities. We, therefore, reviewed diagnostic efficacy of conventional Pap staining, flow cytometry and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing in cervical pre cancer and cancer. Narrative review of cervical pre cancer and cancer candidate biomarkers including Pap staining, HPV and flow cytometry from cervical cytology fluids, is based on a detailed review of the literature. Based on the so far conducted studies, a promising conclusion can be drawn, that cytometry when coupled with HPV DNA typing or the conventional cytology gives better results as compared to that of conventional cytology or DNA cytometry alone. Liquid cytology provides a good and stable source of cervical cells to carry out ploidy studies using DNA cytometry. The procedure should be used in conjunction with LBC and HPV detection.

Download Full-text

Comparison of Conventional Cytology Vs. High Sensitivity Flow Cytometry for the Diagnosis of Leptomeningeal Involvement by Hematological Lymphoid Malignancies

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v116.21.3112.3112 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (21) ◽

pp. 3112-3112

Author(s):

Selay Lam ◽

Ian H. Chin-Yee ◽

Michael Keeney ◽

Janice Popma ◽

Kamilia Rizkalla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Flow Cytometry ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Diagnostic Value ◽

Lymphoid Cells ◽

Lymphoid Malignancies ◽

Conventional Cytology ◽

Leptomeningeal Involvement ◽

Non Hodgkin Lymphoma

Abstract Abstract 3112 Objective: To compare the utility of high sensitivity (5-colour) flow cytometry (FCM) vs. conventional cytology (CC) for detecting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) involvement in patients with hematological lymphoid malignancies. Methods: The results of diagnostic evaluations on all CSF samples analyzed for involvement by neoplastic lymphoid cells between January 2005 and February 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Cases were identified by reviewing logs of all FCM procedures performed during that time period. FCM was performed on the CSF using a 5-antibody panel (“high sensitivity”). Result: 108 patients (62M/46F) diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or acute lymphoblastic leukemia underwent a total of 609 lumbar punctures (LP). The 359 samples that were sent for both CC and FCM form the basis of this analysis. The majority of the LP's (312/359, 87%) were negative for malignant cells by both FCM and CC (FCM-/CC-). 47 samples showed infiltration by tumor cells; of these, 25 (7%) were FCM+/CC+, and 22 (6%) were FCM+/CC-. No cases (0%) were FCM-/CC+. Using FCM as the gold standard, CC had a specificity of 100%, but a sensitivity of only 53%. Conclusion: High-sensitivity FCM has superior sensitivity to CC for diagnosing leptomeningeal involvement by lymphoid malignancies. CC failed to identify any additional cases that were not seen on FCM. This raises the question of whether performing CC on CSF samples to search for neoplastic lymphoid cells is of any additional diagnostic value. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text