Differential cell analysis of cytocentrifuged bronchoalveolar fluid samples affected by the area counted

E.I.G.B. De Brauwer, M. Drent, P.G.H. Mulder, C.A.M.V.A. Bruggeman, S.S. Wagenaar, J.A. Jacobs*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate variations in the differential cell counts between the quadrants of cytocentrifuged bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid preparations and to evaluate the diagnostic impact of these differences in interstitial lung diseases (ILD).STUDY DESIGN: BAL fluid samples obtained from 30 patients suspected of having ILD or pneumonia were cytocentuifuged and additionally stained with May-Grunwald-Giemsa stain. Two observers differentiated 200 cells in each quadrant as well as in a circular pattern around the center of the cytocentrifuge spot.RESULTS: Lymphocytes and alveolar macrophages Ic,ere not randomly distributed on the cytocentrifirge spot. Ten samples of patients with histologically confirmed ILD were selected to test the diagnostic impact using a validated computer program. The predicted diagnosis did not correspond to the histologic diagnosis for one quadrant from 1 of these 10 samples (sarcoidosis instead of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), whereas the differential cell counts performed around the center of the cytocentrifuge spot provided the correct diagnosis in all cases.CONCLUSION: BAL fluid differential cell counts varied between the quadrants of the cytocentrifuge spot. The center of the cytocentrifuge spot appeared to be the most reliable area. Therefore, cell counting is recommended in a circular pattern around the center of the cytocentrifuge spot.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)143-149
Number of pages8
JournalAnalytical and Quantitative Cytology and Histology
Volume22
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2000

Cite this