Extramedullary hematopoietic effusions.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the frequency and diagnostic implications of extramedullary hematopoietic effusions.


METHODS
Smears of the effusions diagnosed cytologically as myeloid metaplasia or extramedullary hematopoiesis and their clinical records were reviewed and compared with the histologic diagnoses.


RESULTS
There were 7 pleural and 1 peritoneal effusion from 5 patients out of 20,793 pericardial, peritoneal and pleural effusions studied during a period of 21 years.


CONCLUSIONS
When compensatory responses can be ruled out, the diagnosis of extramedullary hematopoietic effusion points toward replacement of the bone marrow by a metastatic process. The first primary to consider in males is lung carcinoma.
García-Riego
A
A
Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital de Cruces, Vizcaya, Spain.
Cuiñas
C
C
Vilanova
J J
JJ
Ibarrola
R
R
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006411:Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis