Accuracy and added value of triage beyond segregating potentially neoplastic effusions in immediate wet preparation.
OBJECTIVE
To sudy the accuracy and value of immediate wet preparation (WP) procedure on effusion and washing cytologic specimens.


METHODS
Two hundred specimens were identified over 3 months in our cytology laboratory, including 102 pleural effusion, 59 peritoneal effusion, 28 pelvic washing and 11 pericardial fluid specimens. WP slides were prepared, stained with toluidine blue (TB) and .. evaluated. Findings were reported as negative, suspicious or positive for malignant cells. For negative specimens, the remaining prepared slides were stained together. For suspicious or positive interpretation, slides were stained separately. Accuracy and additional benefits from this immediate triage step were studied.


RESULTS
Interpretation ofslides resulted in 152 negative, 34 positive and 14 suspicious for malignancy. Analysis for additional values resulted in immediate interpretation relayed to clinicians, additional fluid centrifuged for adequate sediment in samples with scant cellularity, selection of bloody specimens for acid washing procedures, selection of cases to optimize cell block preparation when pivotal histologic evaluation or immunohistochemistry was anticipated and selection of cases for potentially needed ancillary studies. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were high.


CONCLUSIONS
WP using the TB is accurate, sensitive and highly specific and has considerable value beyond segregating potential neoplastic cases.
Arabi
Haitham
H
Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Yousef
Nida
N
Han
Liying
L
Bandyopadhyay
Sudeshna
S
Feng
Jining
J
Al-Abbadi
Mousa
M
D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods*
D014048:Tolonium Chloride