Malignant pericardial effusion with metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma: Discordance between ThinPrep® and cell-block cytopreparation

Pre-analytical issues in effusion cytology

Effusions or body cavity fluids are amongst the most commonly submitted samples to the cytology laboratory. Knowledge of proper collection, storage, preservation and processing techniques is essential to ensure proper handling and successful analysis of the sample. This article describes how the effusions should be collected and proper conditions for submission. The different processing techniques to extract the cellular material and prepare slides satisfactory for microscopic evaluation are described such as direct smears, cytospins, liquid based preparations and cell blocks. The article further elaborates on handling the specimens for additional ancillary testing such as immunostaining and molecular tests, including predictive ones, as well as future research approaches.

The implementation of liquid-based cytology for lung and pleural-based diseases

OBJECTIVE

First introduced for the processing of cervico-vaginal samples, liquid-based cytology (LBC) soon found application in nongynecological specimens, including bronchoscopic brushings, washings and transcutaneous and transbronchial aspiration biopsy of the lung as well as pleural effusions. This article reviews the existing literature related to these specimens along with the authors' own experience.

STUDY DESIGN

A literature review was conducted through Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed search engines using several key words.

RESULTS

Most of the literature is based on data collected through the use of split samples. The data confirms that the use of LBC is an acceptable, and sometimes superior, alternative to the conventional preparations (CP). LBC offers several advantages, including the ability to transport in a stable collecting media, elimination of obscuring elements, ease of screening, excellent preservation, random representative sample, and application of ancillary techniques on additional preparations. Some diagnostic pitfalls related to the introduced artifacts were reported.

CONCLUSION

The utilization of LBC offers many advantages over CP and has a diagnostic accuracy that is equal to or surpasses that of CP. LBC affords a bridge to the future application of molecular and other ancillary techniques to cytology. Knowledge of the morphological artifacts is useful at the early stages of implementation.

Cervical adenocarcinoma presenting as a cardiac tamponade in a 57-year-old woman: a case report

Introduction

Pericardial effusion as a complication of malignant gynecological disorders is rare. Few cases of endometrial cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, ovarian cancer and uterine carcinosarcoma have been previously reported. We report the first case of cardiac tamponade secondary to a cervical adenocarcinoma.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old Caucasian woman, without any relevant medical history and no gynecological aftercare, was admitted to our hospital emergency room with severe dyspnea. Echocardiography revealed severe pericardial effusion with a swinging heart. An emergency pericardial drainage was performed through a pericardial window, which permitted the draining of 700 mL of bloody fluid and a pericardial biopsy. Cytological examination of the fluid revealed atypical cells, and the biopsy specimen showed tumor emboli suggestive of adenocarcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 35 mm cervical lesion indicative of an endocervical tumor. Exploratory laparoscopy revealed diffuse peritoneal lesions and histological examination of cervical curettage showed a poorly differentiated micropapillary adenocarcinoma of the cervix.

Conclusion

Carcinomatous pericarditis as the first symptom of a malignant gynecological adenocarcinoma has not, to the best of our knowledge, been documented before. This case highlights the extreme severity of pericardial effusion secondary to cervical adenocarcinoma, a sign of advanced disease. Gynecological malignancies have to be considered in cases of neoplastic pericardial effusion.