Cytology exam of pleural fluid

Pleural fluid cytology

A sample of fluid from the pleural space is needed. The sample is taken using a procedure called thoracentesis.

The procedure is done in the following way:

• You sit on a bed or on the edge of a chair or bed. Your head and arms rest on a table.
• A small area of skin on your back is cleaned. Numbing medicine (local anesthetic) is injected in this area.
• The doctor inserts a needle through the skin and muscles of the chest wall into the pleural space.
• Fluid is collected.
• The needle is removed. A bandage is placed on the skin.

The fluid sample is sent to a laboratory where it is examined under the microscope to determine what the cells look like, and whether they are abnormal.

No special preparation is needed before the test. A chest x-ray will be performed before and after the test.

Do not cough, breathe deeply, or move during the test to avoid injury to the lung.

You will feel stinging when the local anesthetic is injected. You may feel pain or pressure when the needle is inserted into the pleural space.

Tell your health care provider if you feel short of breath or have chest pain.

A cytology exam is used to look for cancer and precancerous cells. It may also be done for other conditions, such as identifying systemic lupus erythematosus cells.

Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of fluid buildup in the pleural space. This condition is called pleural effusion. The test may also be done if you have signs of lung cancer.

Normal cells are seen.

In an abnormal test, there are cancerous (malignant) cells. This may mean there is a cancerous tumor. This test most often detects:

• Breast cancer
• Lymphoma
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Stomach cancer

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Collapse of the lung (pneumothorax)
• Difficulty breathing