title: Cytologic specimens from the eye: a clinicopathologic study of 33 patients.
abstract: Cytologic specimens from the eye (CSE) (fine-needle aspirates and intraocular [vitrectomy] washings) are uncommon in most cytology practices. We reviewed our experience and diagnostic accuracy in lesions from this site over a 13-yr period. Thirty-three patients (12 males, 21 females, age 7-85 yr; mean 56 yr) were identified. Eighteen specimens were submitted to rule out malignancy. Of these, four CSE were positive, including melanoma (n = 1), large-cell lymphoma (n = 2), and carcinoma (n = 1). None of the 14 patients with negative cytology showed clinical evidence of malignancy over a 1-28-mo follow-up period (mean, 8.4 mo). Fourteen specimens were submitted to rule out infectious agents. Cytology material contained culture-proven organisms in one case each of Candida and Aspergillus. Of serology-confirmed specimens, four CSE failed to reveal toxoplasma, and three lacked herpes viral inclusions. One case each of culture-positive P. acnes and C. albicans lacked the organisms in the CSE. Twelve specimens were submitted to rule out inflammatory lesions. CSE showed chronic inflammation (n = 5), acute and chronic inflammation (n = 1), macrophages (n = 5), and nonnecrotizing granulomas (n = 1). Of 3 patients with sarcoidosis, CSE contained mature lymphocytes in all 3 cases, but no granulomas. Although the numbers are small, there is greater sensitivity in the detection of malignancy than of infectious agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomic Pathology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Fischler
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Prayson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014821:Vitrectomy