Multinucleated giant cells in bronchoalveolar lavage.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency, morphology and possible diagnostic significance of multinucleated giant cells (MGC) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).


METHODS
Retrospectively we examined 671 BAL specimens. Enlarged cells having > or = 10 nuclei were defined as MGC. Cytomorphologic features were described. BAL specimens containing MGC were grouped according to clinicohistologic diagnosis into sarcoidosis, asbestosis, other interstitial lung diseases and different chronic, noninterstitial lung diseases.


RESULTS
MGC were present in 10.7% of BAL specimens and occurred in low numbers. MGC were classified into Langhans' or foreign-body-type MGC (LF-MGC), alveolar macrophage-like MGC (AM-MGC) and nonspecific MGC (NS-MGC). LF-MGC were found most often in patients with sarcoidosis. AM-MGC were found in all groups of patients. NS-MGC were found most often in patients with asbestosis and other interstital lung diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
MGC in BAL are not encountered frequently and are not numerous. Based on cytomorphologic features, three types of MGC can be distinguished.
Kern
Izidor
I
Department of Cytology and Pathology, University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik 36, SI-4204 Golnik, Slovenia. izidor.kern@klinika-golnik.si
Kecelj
Peter
P
Kosnik
Mitja
M
Mermolja
Milivoj
M
D001195:Asbestosis / Q000473:pathology*; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage / Q000379:methods; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002452:Cell Count; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D015743:Giant Cells, Foreign-Body / Q000473:pathology; D015744:Giant Cells, Langhans / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000473:pathology*