EVALUATING EFFICACY OF CYTOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OR SEROUS EFFUSIONS BY SMEAR CYTOLOGY AND CELLBLOCK TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Introduction :- Cytological examination of serous effusions is of paramount importance not only for diagnosing cancer, but it may also reveal information regarding various inammatory conditions, parasitic infestations, infection with bacteria, fungi or viruses, and some immunological diseases. Cellblock technique has many advantages over conventional smear cytology in improving the sensitivity of diagnosis. The main advantages of the cellblock technique are preserving tissue architecture and obtaining multiple sections from the same material for special stains and immunohistochemistry. Objectives :- To study the body uids, i.e., pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial, for the absence of local or systemic pathological situation. To evaluate the diagnostic efcacy of a combined approach of conventional smear study and cellblock technique in serous effusions. Methods:- A total of 100 uid samples from referral centers received in the Cytology section, After preparing two conventional smears for PAP and Giemsa stains, the residual sample was subjected to cellblock preparation. Nathan's Alcohol Formalin Substitute was added and xed for an hour. After xation, the specimen was centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 15min.The supernatant was decanted, and the sediment completely drained off by XIinverting tube over Whatman lter paper. After discarding the supernatant xative, the pellet formed was removed with a pointed spatula and placed on top of the lens paper inside the tissue cassette, and processed for parafn embedding. Results:- In the total of 100 samples were subjected for cytological evaluation. Pleural uids were 47%, peritoneal uids were 43%, and pericardial uids were 10%. Maximum samples were in age group of 41-50 years. By Conventional smear cytology, benign, suspicious and malignant lesions were 76%, 14.5%, and 9.5%, respectively. By cellblock study, benign and malignant lesions were 75.5% and 24.5%, respectively. Conclusion:- Morphological features were better appreciated by cellblock composition, which risen the sensitivity of cyst diagnosis hence serves as a useful adjunct to conventional smears.