title: Analysis of rare high-DNA cell populations in serous effusions using continuous-motion imaging.
abstract: The rare high-DNA cell sub-populations in a series of serous effusion specimens were analysed to determine whether such measurements could provide a basis for the improved diagnosis of malignancy. Monolayer specimens stained with gallocyanin chrome-alum were scanned with the CERVIFIP continuous-motion image analyser to locate and measure the highest-DNA cells in the sample. Two types of features were obtained for the detected sub-populations; firstly, 'percentile ploidy' values which characterise the ploidy levels above which specified proportions of the total cells are found; and secondly 'percentage abnormal' values which characterise the proportion of the cells diagnosed as malignant during examination by a cytopathologist. The classification accuracy for one or both of these features was then obtained by comparison with the clinical outcome of each patient. The results gave a classification error of 9/44 (20%) using the 0.01% percentile ploidy alone, 6/44 (14%) using the 75% percentage abnormal feature alone, but only 2/44 (5%) from a box discriminant using both features. It was therefore concluded that the analysis of the high-DNA cell population could be of value in the diagnosis of malignancy in serous effusion specimens.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council, Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh, Scotland.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eason
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Duvall
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000473:pathology*; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology; D011003:Ploidies
chemical_list: D004247:DNA