Pericardial cytopathology
Saturday, January 27th, 2007.
Annales de Pathologie. 2006 Oct;26(5):333-9. [Link]
Thivolet-Bejui F.
Centre de Pathologie Est, Hopital cardio-vasculaire et pneumologique Louis Pradel, Groupement hospitalier est, 28 avenue du Doyen Lepine, 69677 Bron Cedex. francoise.thivolet-bejui@chu-lyon.fr
Abstract
Cytopathology diagnosis of three hundred and thirty three pericardial effusions performed between September 1999 and August 2006 were systematically analyzed and compared with the biopsy in 71 cases. We described the clinical circumstances, the etiologies, the cytomorphologic features of the effusions, the role of liquid based cytology and ancillary studies such as immunocytochemistry and the sensitivity of cytopathology compared with histopathology. Among the 57 pericardial tumors, 51 (89%) were metastatic carcinomas–included 42 (73%) adenocarcinomas–, 5 (9%) were malignant lymphomas and one (2%) was a malignant mesothelioma. Cytology of pericardial effusion with ancillary studies enables rapid cytodiagnosis as specific as histodiagnosis provided by biopsy.
Glossary
- diagnosis
- identifying a disease by its signs or symptoms, and by using imaging procedures and laboratory findings. The earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better the chance for long-term survival.
- cytology
- (cy-tahl-uh-gee) the branch of science that deals with the structure and function of cells.
- biopsy
- (buy-op-see) the removal of a sample of tissue to see whether cancer cells are present. There are several kinds of biopsies. In some, a very thin needle is used to draw fluid and cells from a lump. In a core biopsy, a larger needle is used to remove more tissue.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
