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Intracytoplasmic barium salts in pleural fluid
A C Chan1, R J Collins, T K Cheung
1Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital.
Pathology
|October 1, 1993
Summary
Pleural effusion analysis revealed barium salt crystals due to specimen contamination. X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of these unusual crystals, highlighting laboratory contamination risks.
Area of Science:
- Medical diagnostics
- Analytical chemistry
- Pathology
Background:
- Cytological examination of pleural effusion is crucial for diagnosing various conditions.
- Identifying crystalline substances in bodily fluids can aid in diagnosis.
- Specimen handling and contamination are critical factors in laboratory analysis.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old female patient presented with pleural effusion.
- Cytological analysis of the effusion revealed numerous intra- and extracytoplasmic, colorless, refractile, non-birefringent crystals.
- The patient's pleural fluid sample was collected in a specimen bottle from the radiology department.
Findings:
- X-ray diffraction analysis definitively identified the crystals as barium salts.
- Further investigation indicated that the specimen bottle was contaminated with barium salts.
- This contamination was the source of the crystals observed in the pleural effusion sample.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of meticulous specimen handling and awareness of potential contamination sources in diagnostic laboratories.
- X-ray analysis proved to be a valuable tool for identifying unknown crystalline substances in biological samples.
- The findings highlight an unusual cause of crystalline material in pleural fluid, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation of sample origins.