Morphologic Analysis of Serous Effusion Cells by Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract

The authors used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the cells obtained from serous effusions of patients affected with a neoplasm or benign disease. Cellular morphology was studied in non-neoplastic effusions to distinguish benign cells from cancer cells with which they are almost always suspended in malignant effusions. Tumor cells differ in some features such as shape, size, arrangement and especially in surface structures (microvilli), the latter being very noticeable when using this method. The investigation enabled us to note several changes in the cell surface that could reflect particular activities of the cells themselves. For this reason we believe that the technique may be considered very useful to gain knowledge of cellular morphology. However, it cannot be considered suitable for making routine diagnostic conclusions.

nm23 is expressed in reactive mesothelium and is not useful for detection of malignant cells in serous effusions

“…To date, no consensus has been reached in this regard (1)(2)(3)(4). Other diagnostic adjuncts such as in situ hybridization and electron microscopy have also been studied with no widespread acceptance (5)(6)(7).…”