[Cytology of pleura exudate in lymphoretic sarcoma (author's transl)]

In 2.9% of 1762 patients with pleura exudate, the underlying disease was a lymphoreticular sarcoma. The experienced cytologist has no difficulties to differentiate typical patterns of plasmocytoma, reticulumcell sarcoma or lymphogranulomatosis. But there may be borderline forms which can only be evaluated by critical examination. This holds true especially for differentiated types of lymphosarcoma which resemble the pattern of lymphocytic leukemia or observed through low magnification look like lymphocytic exudate. Therefore the use of oil immersion is necessary for evaluation of the smear. Fluorescence microscopy offers some advantages in special problems.