Lymph Nodes and Spleen

The main indication for fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) of lymph nodes or spleen is to rule out metastatic disease of either a known or unknown primary for staging or for local or diffuse lymphadenopathy in order to exclude lymphoma. We describe the radiographic features, cytomorphology of FNA or touch preparation of the cores, histology of CNB, immunohistochemical stains, flow cytometry, and molecular studies of common hematopoietic lesions and non-neoplastic lesions as well as metastatic malignancy.