Abstract :
Background: The cytological examination of serous effusions has been universally accepted and a positive diagnosis is considered as a definitive diagnosis. It helps in staging, prognosis and management of the patients in malignancies and also helps to differentiate inflammatory and non – inflammatory lesions. The main diagnostic dilemma is to differentiate between reactive mesothelial cells from that of malignant cells in our routine practice.
Aims: To compare the morphological features of the conventional cytology with that of the cell block technique.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the cytology section of the department of Pathology. Seventy five fluid samples were subjected to diagnostic evaluation for over a period of two years (August 2019 to February 2021). Along with the conventional smears, cell blocks were prepared using 10% alcohol – formalin as a fixative agent.
Results: Cellularity and yield for malignancy was more by the cell block technique.
Conclusion: The cell block technique provides high cellularity, better architectural patterns, morphological features and an additional yield of malignant cells when compared with that of conventional smear cytology.
Keyword :
Cell block, Conventional smear, Pleural effusion.