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Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping Interpretation

Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping Interpretation: Flow Cytometry Analysis → Specimen Assessment → Population Identification → Blasts Present? → Blast Lin...

Interactive Decision Tree

Mini Map

Algorithm Steps

  1. Start

    Flow Cytometry Analysis

    Systematic immunophenotyping interpretation

    1. Action

      Specimen Assessment

      Evaluate sample quality

      • Viability (>80% preferred)
      • Cell yield adequate
      • Proper gating on viable cells
      • Exclude debris and doublets
      1. Decision

        Population Identification

        Identify abnormal populations

        • SSC vs FSC characteristics
        • CD45 vs SSC gating
        • Identify blasts (CD45 dim, low SSC)
        • Mature lymphocyte populations
        • Monocytes, granulocytes
        1. Decision

          Blasts Present?

          CD45 dim, low SSC population

          1. Action

            Blast Lineage Assignment

            Determine B, T, or myeloid

            • B-lymphoblastic: CD19+, CD10+, TdT+, CD34+/-
            • T-lymphoblastic: cyCD3+, TdT+, CD7+, CD1a+/-
            • AML: CD13+, CD33+, CD117+, MPO+/-
            • Mixed phenotype: meets criteria for >1 lineage
            1. Action

              Clinical/Morphologic Correlation

              Integrate all findings

              • Review morphology (smear/biopsy)
              • Correlate with cytogenetics/FISH
              • Consider molecular studies
              • WHO classification criteria
              • Clinical staging information
              1. Outcome

                Final Diagnosis

                WHO classification with immunophenotype

        2. Decision

          Lymphocyte Abnormality?

          Clonal or aberrant population

          1. Action

            B-Cell Neoplasm Panel

            Characterize B-cell lymphoma/leukemia

            • Kappa/lambda restriction (clonality)
            • CLL: CD5+, CD23+, CD19+, dim sIg
            • MCL: CD5+, CD23-, cyclinD1+
            • HCL: CD103+, CD25+, CD11c+
            • Follicular: CD10+, BCL6+
            • Marginal zone: CD5-, CD10-, CD23-
          2. Action

            T-Cell Neoplasm Panel

            Characterize T-cell neoplasm

            • CD4:CD8 ratio abnormality
            • Loss of pan-T markers (CD5, CD7)
            • T-LGL: CD3+, CD8+, CD57+
            • ATLL: CD4+, CD25+, HTLV1+
            • AITL: CD4+, CD10+, PD1+
        3. Action

          Plasma Cell Assessment

          Myeloma evaluation

          • CD38 bright, CD138+
          • Cytoplasmic Ig restriction
          • Aberrant: CD56+, CD19-, CD45-
          • Normal: CD19+, CD56-

Guideline Source

ICCS/ESCCA Guidelines for Flow Cytometry

Clinical Safety Information

Clinical Decision Support — Not a Substitute for Clinical Judgment

Individual patient factors may require deviation from these recommendations.

Known Limitations

  • Panel design varies by laboratory
  • Requires correlation with morphology
  • Some markers lack sensitivity/specificity alone
  • Technical factors affect results
  • Minimal residual disease requires specialized protocols

Applicable Regions

USAUUKEU

AU: RCPA flow cytometry guidelines

UK: BCSH flow cytometry standards

US: ICCS and CAP guidelines

Version 1Next review: 2028-01-01

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping Interpretation?

The Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping Interpretation is a diagnostic clinical algorithm for Pathology. It provides a structured decision tree to guide clinical decision-making, based on ICCS/ESCCA Guidelines for Flow Cytometry.

What guideline is the Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping Interpretation based on?

This algorithm is based on ICCS/ESCCA Guidelines for Flow Cytometry (DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.21905).

What are the limitations of the Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping Interpretation?

Known limitations include: Panel design varies by laboratory; Requires correlation with morphology; Some markers lack sensitivity/specificity alone; Technical factors affect results; Minimal residual disease requires specialized protocols. Individual patient factors may require deviation from these recommendations.

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