Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
SpringerLink
Log in

Lymphocytic Effusions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Serous Cavity Fluid and Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytopathology

Part of the book series: Essentials in Cytopathology ((EICP,volume 11))

  • 1434 Accesses

Abstract

Lymphocytes are commonly present in any SCF, admixed with mesothelial cells and lymphocytes. When a predominant population of lymphocytes is observed, a careful evaluation of the morphologic features should permit distinction between a reactive process and lymphoproliferative disorder. However, in effusions where a large amount of small mature lymphocytes are encountered, a statement should be added to the cytologic report stating the diagnostic possibilities. Predominant lymphocytosis in an effusion caused by small mature lymphocytes can be seen in cases of an underlying tuberculosis (such as in the lung), a low-grade lymphoproliferative disorder, or an occult malignancy. In cases where a lymphoproliferative process is suspected, it is best to send a fresh portion of SCF for flow cytometric analysis. It is agreed that serous cavity involvement by a low-grade lymphoma is notoriously difficult to differentiate from a reactive process on cytopathology alone. Several studies have demonstrated the sensitivity of flow analysis when morphologic evaluation alone cannot provide a conclusive diagnosis of lymphoma.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Selected Reading

  • Bangerter M, Hildebrand A, Griesshammer M. Combined cytomorphologic and immunophenotypic analysis in the diagnostic workup of lymphomatous effusions. Acta Cytol. 2001;45(3):307–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen LM, Hwang WS. Myeloma with pleural involvement. Acta Cytol. 1991;35(3):372–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Czader M, Ali SZ. Flow cytometry as an adjunct to cytomorphologic analysis of serous effusions. Diagn Cytopathol. 2003;29(2):74–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Das DK, Gupta SK, Ayyagari S, Bambery PK, Datta BN, Datta U. Pleural effusions in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A cytomorphologic, cytochemical and immunologic study. Acta Cytol. 1987;31(2):119–24.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson B, Dong HP, Holth A, Berner A, Risberg B. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of cancer cells in effusion specimens: diagnostic and research applications. Diagn Cytopathol. 2007;35(9):568–78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guzman J, Bross KJ, WĂĽrtemberger G, Freudenberg N, Costabel U. Tuberculous pleural effusions: lymphocyte phenotypes in comparison with other lymphocyte-rich effusions. Diagn Cytopathol. 1989;5(2):139–44.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iqbal J, Liu T, Mapow B, Swami VK, Hou JS. Importance of flow cytometric analysis of serous effusions in the diagnosis of hematopoietic neoplasms in patients with prior hematopoietic malignancies. Anal Quant Cytol Histol. 2010;32(3):161–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kishimoto K, Kitamura T, Hirayama Y, Tate G, Mitsuya T. Cytologic and immunocytochemical features of EBV negative primary effusion lymphoma: report on seven Japanese cases. Diagn Cytopathol. 2009;37(4):293–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mihaescu A, Gebhard S, Chaubert P, Rochat MC, Braunschweig R, Bosman FT, DelacrĂ©taz F, Benhattar J. Application of molecular genetics to the diagnosis of lymphoid-rich effusions: study of 95 cases with concomitant immunophenotyping. Diagn Cytopathol. 2002;27(2):90–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ohori NP, Whisnant RE, Nalesnik MA, Swerdlow SH. Primary pleural effusion posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder: distinction from secondary involvement and effusion lymphoma. Diagn Cytopathol. 2001;25(1):50–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sasser RL, Yam LT, Li CY. Myeloma with involvement of the serous cavities. Cytologic and immunochemical diagnosis and literature review. Acta Cytol. 1990;34(4):479–85.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stonesifer KJ, Xiang JH, Wilkinson EJ, Benson NA, Braylan RC. Flow cytometric analysis and cytopathology of body cavity fluids. Acta Cytol. 1987;31(2):125–30.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Syed Z. Ali

  2. Department of Pathology Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Edmund S. Cibas

Authors
  1. Syed Z. Ali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Edmund S. Cibas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Syed Z. Ali .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science + Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ali, S.Z., Cibas, E.S. (2012). Lymphocytic Effusions. In: Serous Cavity Fluid and Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytopathology. Essentials in Cytopathology, vol 11. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1776-7_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1776-7_8

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-1775-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-1776-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation