COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CONVENTIONAL SMEARS AND CELL BLOCKS IN PLEURAL AND PERITONEAL FLUIDS CYTODIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Introduction: Cytologic techniques have been universally the most important diagnostic tool in the recognition of malignant tumors in effusions. Cytodiagnosis by conventional smears (CS) has got lower sensitivity due to cell overcrowding, cell loss and different laboratory methods. Multiple sections can be obtained from the same material for special stains and immunohistochemistry in cell blocks (CB).Efficacy of cytodiagnosis is increased in CB method. This study was carried out with aim to study the morphological features of CS and CB technique and to assess the utility and sensitivity of CS and CB technique in cytodiagnosis of pleural and peritoneal fluids effusions.

Materials and Methods: Present study was a Hospital based Obervational study done for two years at a Tertiary Care Centre. All 189 fresh, received sample of effusion was divided into two equal parts and subjected for cytological evaluation of CS and CB technique.

Results: 42.3% cases belonged to age group 41-60 years, 66.1% were male. Cases of pleural effusions were 127 and of peritoneal effusions were 62. Out of 09 cases, diagnosed as suspicious of malignancy on CS, 07 cases were categorized as benign and 02 cases were labelled as malignant on CB. Diagnostic Accuracy is more for CB as compared to that of CS. Conclusion: Combined approach CB in conjunction with CS should be used in suspicious for malignancy cases.

Keywords: Cytodiagnosis, Conventional smear, Cell Block, Peritoneal fluid, Pleural fluid