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Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Cell Block Preparation from Cytology Specimen with Predominance of Individually Scattered Cells
Published on: July 21, 2009
Examination of cytological smears and cell blocks of pleural fluid: Complementary diagnostic value for malignant
J M Porcel1, M Quirós1, S Gatius2
1Pleural Medicine Unit, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, Lleida, Spain.
Objectives:
To evaluate the independent usefulness of pleural fluid smear and cell block (CB) preparations for the diagnosis of malignant effusions.
Patients And Methods:
A total of 632 cytological smears and 554 CBs from 414 consecutive patients with malignant effusions were retrospectively evaluated.
Results:
The diagnostic yield of a first specimen was 44% regardless of whether a smear or CB cytologic examination was performed. The use of subsequent separated specimens increased the identification of malignancy to 56%. Overall, 11% of samples found to be negative by cytologic smears showed malignant cells on CBs, whereas 15% of negative CBs were reported as positive on smear slides. Pleural fluid specimens with low red and/or white blood cell counts more frequently resulted in the generation of suboptimal CB preparations.
Conclusions:
If CBs and smears are prepared and examined, the percentage of positive diagnoses will be greater than if only one method is used.
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