OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to emphasize the diagnostic utility of intraoperative touch imprint preparations in the evaluation of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare-infected lymph node biopsy specimens obtained from human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. PATIENTS: Two human immunodeficiency virus-positive men, 41 and 29 years of age, with marked lymphadenopathy clinically suspicious for malignant neoplasm. RESULTS: Intraoperative touch imprints of two lymph node biopsy specimens rapidly demonstrated the presence of numerous intracellular organisms in Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare-infected lymph nodes, including one case of mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumor. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative touch imprint preparations are helpful in the evaluation of lymph node biopsy specimens obtained from human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients and allow rapid diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to emphasize the diagnostic utility of intraoperative touch imprint preparations in the evaluation of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare-infected lymph node biopsy specimens obtained from human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. PATIENTS: Two human immunodeficiency virus-positive men, 41 and 29 years of age, with marked lymphadenopathy clinically suspicious for malignant neoplasm. RESULTS: Intraoperative touch imprints of two lymph node biopsy specimens rapidly demonstrated the presence of numerous intracellular organisms in Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare-infected lymph nodes, including one case of mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumor. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative touch imprint preparations are helpful in the evaluation of lymph node biopsy specimens obtained from human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients and allow rapid diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection.