This new reference examines specimen processing of effusion fluids, detailing the steps needed to obtain more accurate diagnoses while avoiding common pitfalls. A methodical, algorithmic approach to the evaluation and interpretation of specimens enables you to establish a definitive diagnosis in these often difficult cases. User-friendly features - combined with extensive tables and algorithms - facilitate ease of interpretation, and highlighted information makes the most essential concepts easy to reference quickly.
CONTENTS: 1. Introduction
2. The panorama of different faces of mesothelial cells
3. Approach to diagnostic cytopathology of serous effusions
4. Diagnostic pitfalls in effusion fluid cytology
5. Immunocytochemistry of effusion fluids: introduction to SCIP approach
6. Reactive conditions
7. Diagnostic cytopathology of peritoneal washing
8. Mesothelioma
9. Metastatic carcinoma in effusions
10. Metastaic sarcomas, melanoma, and other non-epithelial malignancies
11. Where do they come from? Evaluation of unknown primary site of origin
12. Hematolyphoid disorders
13. Flow cytometry, molecular techniques, and other special techniques
Appendix 1: Collection and processing of serous cavity fluids for cytopathologic evaluation
Appendix 2: Immunocytochemistry of effusions - processing and commonly used immunomarkers
Index