[Rheumatoid body cavity effusions in chronic polyarthritis. 5 cases with special reference to cytopathology]

All of 5 patients with rheumatoid disease presented with the rare complication of rheumatoid pleurisy or pericarditis. The lesion was diagnosed cytologically from effusions by means of the characteristic cellular findings. The unique cytologic picture and possible differential diagnoses are presented in detail. The pathogenesis of rheumatoid serositis and its bearing on follow-up of rheumatoid disease are discussed.