Evaluation of the diagnostic yield of cell blocks in suspected malignant pleural effusions at Makerere University Core Pathology Laboratory

Abstract

Introduction: Tumors that arise from the mesothelium or metastasizing to the mesothelium cause malignant pleural effusion. The most frequent and critical diagnosis to be made or ruled out in undetected unilateral pleural effusions is cancer. The cell block preparation has been in practice as a diagnostic tool for quite some time although it is not routinely done by the laboratory technicians. The cell block approach offers a high yield for malignant pleural effusion comparatively noninvasive, reproducible and easy to use as compared to the biospy.It is crucial in making a diagnosis and directing treatment for malignant pleural effusions. The cytomorphological characteristics were well maintained. In contrast to cytological smear, a cell block can not only increase the accuracy diagnosis but have a similar diagnostic rate to other invasive methods like biopsy .It can also confirm the pathological type and primary lesion through the use of ancillary techniques like immunohistochemistry Objectives of the study: This study is carried out to evaluate the diagnostic yield of cell block preparations in pleural effusions suspected to be malignant. Methodology: Cell block slides of 50 pleural effusions that are suspected to be malignant from 2012 to 2022 are to be reviewed for total cellularity, architecture and also perform immunohistochemistry on them. The diagnostic criteria will be compared with the routine cytology smears. The positive malignant cases are to be recorded. Data analysis: Data collected will be entered in the STATA (Stata 17 integrated software) a powerful statistics software to analyze, manage and produce graphical visualizations of data. Dissemination of results: The study results will be documented in a manuscript and presented to the Pathology Department of Makerere University ,Makerere University school of Biomedical sciences research and ethics committee.