[Cytochemical tests on sediment cells of malignant and benign exudates]

In exsudate cells separated from serous body cavities of 29 tumour patients and 30 patients with inflammatory and congestive effusion in cardiac failure or liver cirrhosis respectively the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase were determined. In addition to sudanophilia the cell content of glycogen and that of ribonucleinic acid were evaluated. By means of cytochemical findings it could be found that an increase of unspecific esterase, acid phosphatase and ribonucleic acid in atypical cells points to a malignous ethiology of the exudate.