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Pericellular lacunae in effusions
1Department of Pathology, Vancouver General Hospital, BC, Canada.
Diagnostic Cytopathology
|October 1, 1993
Summary
Pericellular lacunae in effusion cell blocks are not definitive for adenocarcinoma. Their presence can aid in screening and evaluating cases, especially when absent or widespread.
Area of Science:
- Cytopathology
- Histopathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Pericellular lacunae are suggested as characteristic of adenocarcinoma in serous effusions.
- Their diagnostic reliability requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the incidence of pericellular lacunae in benign and malignant effusion cell blocks.
- To determine the diagnostic utility of pericellular lacunae.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cell blocks from 24 benign and 31 malignant effusions.
- Classification of cases based on the percentage of cell clusters exhibiting lacunae.
Main Results:
- Malignant effusions showed lacunae in 95% of cases (5% group A, 67% group B, 29% group C).
- Benign effusions showed lacunae in 50% of cases (50% group A, 50% group B, 0% group C).
- Lacunae were not a sole reliable diagnostic criterion.
Conclusions:
- Pericellular lacunae are not a definitive marker for adenocarcinoma but can assist in case evaluation.
- Their presence, especially at low magnification, aids in screening cell blocks for areas of interest.