Note the central desposits of neutrophils with numerous intracellular (mostly rod-shaped) bacteria.

There is also a large lymphocyte lymphocyte in the 5 o'clock position.

This was an aspirate from a cat with a nodular mass and intestinal thickening on ultrasound which was aspirated. Lymphoma was suspected clinically.

Within the smears there was a mixed lymphoid population but frequent large lymphoid cells.

Differentials included lympoid hyperplasia in the region of a lymphnode / Peyers patch with an abcess/ulceration or lymphoma with an abcess/ulceration.

However in a 15 year old cat low-grade (small cell lymphoma) would be more likely than a high grade (large cell) lymphoma.

A biopsy was recommended.

First published: Thu, Oct 21 2010