Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2007, 151(1):99-101 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2007.018

Immunophenotyping - A tool for the differential diagnostics of lymphadenomegaly

Zuzana Pikalova, Tomas Szotkowski, Karel Indrak

Department of Haemato-oncology, University Hospital, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Backround: Flow cytometry is a method that enables the automated quantification of a set of parameters for a large number of cells or cell-like particles. It is also possible to analyze solid tissues after reduction to a single cell suspension. One of the applications of fl ow cytometry is immunophenotyping.

Aim: The authors try to introduce the basic physical and biological principles of fl ow-cytometry to the broader public and to prove the benefits of method in lymph nodes assessment.

Method: A common method of immunophenotyping with the help of labeled monoclonal antibodies applied to lymph node cells was used.

Results: Flow cytometry revealed the infiltration of the extirpated lymph node with leukemic cells.

Conclusions: The authors demonstrate fl ow cytometry as a relatively less common but efficient way of lymph node assessment in a patient with an anamnesis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. They also discuss the contribution of immunophenotyping to the process of the differential diagnostics of lymph nodes enlargement.

Keywords: Flow cytometry, Solid tissue, Immunophenotyping, Acute leukaemia, Lymph nodes

Received: January 25, 2007; Accepted: April 16, 2007; Published: June 1, 2007  Show citation