Becoming Comfortable with Lymph Node Cytology

Lymph node fine needle aspiration is a commonly performed procedure in veterinary practice and serves as a rapid, minimally invasive diagnostic tool for disease characterization. This session will review optimal sampling techniques and slide preparation, in-clinic microscopic evaluation, cytologic features associated with common disease processes, and ancillary diagnostic approaches for neoplasia. Attendees will gain insight into best practices for sample preparation, recognition of non-diagnostic specimens, interpretation of cytologic patterns, and identification of cases requiring additional evaluation or advanced diagnostics for definitive disease characterization.

• Review best practices for lymph node fine needle aspiration technique and slide preparation, including how to identify non-diagnostic specimens.
• Build skills in microscopic evaluation and recognition of cytologic patterns associated with common disease processes.
• Gain a practical framework for determining which cases require ancillary testing or referral for definitive disease characterization, including diagnostic approaches specific to neoplasia.