Detection of N-myc amplification in neuroblastomas using Southern blotting on fine needle aspirates

OBJECTIVE: To verify the possibility of detecting N-myc amplification in fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology from neuroblastomas by the Southern blotting technique. STUDY DESIGN: Fifteen neuroblastomas diagnosed by FNA in the Department of Pathology, Hospital de S. Joao, between 1990 and 1998, were studied for N-myc amplification using the Southern blotting technique in cytologic and histologic material. RESULTS: DNA extraction from the cytologic material was performed in all cases (N = 15). In two cases the quality/quantity of the DNA did not allow the study of N-myc status by the Southern blotting technique. We detected N-myc amplification in 1 of 13 patients (7.6%) from whom material was available for genetic study. CONCLUSION: It is possible to use the Southern blotting technique to demonstrate N-myc amplification in material obtained from FNA of neuroblastomas.