IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF DESMIN, EPITHELIAL MEMBRANE ANTIGEN AND CALRETININ IN PLEURAL FLUID CELL BLOCK PREPARATIONS

Abstract

Background: Distinction between reactive mesothelial cells, malignant mesothelioma and carcinoma is challenging in both biopsy and cytologic material. This study was conducted to differentiate benign/ reactive mesothelial proliferation from malignant mesothelial proliferations and metastatic adenocarcinoma by using immunohistochemical (IHC) markers Desmin (DES), Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and Calretinin (CAL) in pleural uid cell block (CB) preparations. A two year descriptive study (Oct.2016- Sept.2018). 46 pleural uids samples sentMethods : to the Dept. of Pathology, RIMS for routine examination and histopathological examination by CB preparation were studied using IHC markers EMA,DES and CAL following H & E stain. Out of 46 cases, 9(19.6%) cases were diagnosed as benign, 23(50.0%) as reactive andResults: 14(30.4%) as adenocarcinoma on H & E section by CB preparations within an age range 34 to 80 years (Mean±SE, 60.32±12.13). Following IHC staining with EMA, DES & CAL, 11(23.9%) cases were conrmed as benign, 17(37.0%) as reactive, 16(34.8%) as adenocarcinoma and 2(4.3%) cases as malignant mesothelioma. This study showed that EMA, DES and CAL helpful in conrming benign or reactive mesothelialConclusions: and malignant mesothelial with epithelial cells which will be helpful in providing appropriate diagnosis in difcult cases and provide better patient management.