Hodgkin's disease: diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration; a report based on 62 consecutive cases

Abstract

We report on our series of 62 cases occurring between January 1977 and December 1990, which were diagnosed as Hodgkin's disease by fine needle aspiration (FNA) samples. The overall accuracy of the cytological diagnosis was high, with only four incorrect diagnoses and a positive predictive value of 93.5%. The value of FNA as a first level diagnostic technique in the screening of lymphadenopathies is discussed, as well as the limitations and pitfalls of the cytological diagnosis.