The Usefulness of Cell Block Technique in Cytological diagnosis of Primary Intraocular Lymphoma

Abstract

Purpose: The diagnosis of primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is difficult in many cases with vitreous smear preparation. We here in report the usefulness of cell block technique in patients with PIOL.

Methods: Retrospective review was conducted of 23 PIOL patients (13 women, 10 men ; 25 eyes, average 63.9 years old) who had vitreous biopsy in Kyushu University Hospital from January 2001 to December 2011. Undiluted vitreous specimens were obtained at the time of vitrectomy, centrifuged, then supernatants and pellets were subjected to ELISA (interleukin (IL) -6 and IL-10) and Giemsa/Papanicolaou stains, respectively. Irrigation fluid was collected from cassette/tubing/drain bag at the end of vitrectomy, centrifuged, fixed, and then embedded in paraffin for cell block. Thin sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and by immunochemistry. Final diagnosis of PIOL was made when atypical lymphoid cells were detected from either smear preparation or cell block, concurrent with clinical findings and IL-6/IL-10 ratio.

Results: Atypical lymphoid cells were detected in 44% (11 eyes in 25 eyes) with smear preparation, while 76% (19 eyes in 25 eyes) with cell block.

Conclusions: Cell block technique is useful for the diagnosis of PIOL.

Keywords: 639 pathology techniques