title: DNA content by image analysis. An accurate discriminator of malignancy in pericardial effusions.
abstract: DNA analysis was performed on 20 cytologically equivocal pericardial effusions to determine if it would be a useful ancillary technique in identifying malignancy. Ploidy determination by interactive image analysis showed single diploid DNA peaks, with no cells > 5c, in all eight reactive cases studied. The reactive cases had a mean proliferation index of 1.3. All 12 malignant cases studied had cells with DNA content > 5c. A dominant DNA peak at 2c was present in 25%, dominant aneuploid stem lines were present in 25%, and multiple stem lines were present in 50% of the malignant cases. By image analysis, the presence of DNA content > 5c was both sensitive and specific for detecting malignancy in the group of pericardial effusions evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Fischler
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wongbunnate
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D002452:Cell Count; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000473:pathology*; D011003:Ploidies
chemical_list: D004247:DNA