Low-vacuum scanning electron microscopical characteristics of small cell carcinoma and lymphoma in pleural fluid specimens

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Medical Technology Vol. 74; no. 1; pp. 66 - 72
• Main Authors: SOEJIMA, Yurie, UCHIYAMA, Masayuki, YANO, Tetsuya, NAKAJIMA, Yutaka, MOCHIZUKI, Renon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Association of Medical Technologists 25.01.2025; 一般社団法人 日本臨床衛生検査技師会
• Subjects: cytopathology; low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy; lymphoma; pleural effusion; small cell carcinoma; リンパ腫; 低真空走査電子顕微鏡; 体腔液細胞診; 小細胞癌; 胸水
• ISSN: 0915-8669; 2188-5346
• DOI: 10.14932/jamt.24-49

Objective: We examined the cell morphology in pleural effusion using low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (LVSEM) to differentiate small cell carcinoma (SmCC) and lymphoma. Study Design: Our study included pleural fluid specimens from 16 cases, including seven cases of SmCC and nine cases of lymphoma. The specimens were examined and photographed under an optical microscope, and the cover glasses were removed using hot xylene. After conductive staining with phosphotungstic acid, the same specimens were observed, and photographs were obtained by LVSEM. Results: Differentiation between SmCC and lymphoma was impossible in five cases using an optical microscope alone. On LVSEM, SmCC cells showed “dome-like cell morphology” (85.7%), “high density microvilli” (85.7%), “cell binding positive” (85.7%), and “depression” (42.9%), while lymphoma cells showed a “spherical morphology” (100%), “short microvilli” (88.9%), and “cell binding negative” (88.9%). Differentiation was performed in 14 cases using LVSEM. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that using LVSEM in the cytopathological examination of pleural fluid is useful for distinguishing SmCC and lymphoma.