[Usefulness of AgNOR technique in the interpretation of serous effusions].
BACKGROUND
AgNOR technique detects, using silver salts, argyrophylic proteins of the nucleolar organizer region (NOR). The number and size of NOR reflect cell activity, proliferation and transformation and may help to differentiate benign from malignant cells.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of AgNOR assay to differentiate reactive mesothelial cells from malignant cells in serous effusions.


METHODS
Thirty one fluids obtained from 16 pleural, 14 peritoneal and one pericardial effusion, were studied. The fluids were processed with Giemsa and Papanicolau stains and with the AgNOR technique. The number of AgNOR dots were counted (only when it was possible to distinguish each individual dot) and the mean value per nucleus was calculated for each smear.


RESULTS
Mesothelial cells had a mean of 4.88 +/- 1.5 dots compared with 13.78 +/- 3.88 dots in the malignant cells (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
AgNOR assay can be useful for the differentiation of benign and malignant cells in serous effusions.
Rocher
A E
AE
Laboratorio de Citología, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Blanco
A M
AM
Palaoro
L A
LA
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D016622:Silver Staining
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins