Fine needle aspiration biopsy and molecular analysis in differential diagnosis of lymphoproliferative diseases of the orbit and eye adnexa.

The aim of the investigation was the assessment of the role of routine cytology and clonality evaluation using PCR in differential diagnosis of lymphoproliferative diseases of the orbit and eye adnexa. The investigations were carried out in cellular material collected via fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) from 29 patients aged 31-82 years, including 17 women and 12 men. Apart from routine cytology, molecular-genetic studies were performed employing the PCR technique. In 21 cases histopathology was performed. In 2 patients, despite several attempts, FNAB failed to provide any diagnostic material for routine cytology. Based on cytology, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was diagnosed in 11 patients and suspected in three. In 13 patients no firm diagnosis was possible based on cytological smears. The employment of PCR allowed for rendering the diagnosis more precise in 13 cases, confirming it in 13 patients, while in 3 cases the results of the above tests did not affect the final diagnosis. Clonality studies by PCR may be performed in material obtained through FNAB. Clonality assessment by PCR technique is very useful in differential diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disordes.