In this diagnostic trial of 121 samples of pleural fluid from patients with a pleural effusions and known / suspected malignancy, the sensitivity for detecting malignancy was higher with larger pleural fluid volumes. The sensitivity using direct smear/cytospin for the 10cc, 60cc, or >150cc submissions were 49%, 63%, and 69%. Adding cell blocks increased the sensitivity to 76%, 80%, and 87%. Larger pleural fluid volumes increase cytology sensitivity in patients with suspected malignancy (abstract).
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