Pleural fluid: LE cells
Drs. Prolla and Diehl's
INTERESTING CASE OF THE MONTH July 2002 Case A
Pleural fluid cytology: many neutrophils with typical L.E. morphology: large amorphous inclusions of DNA complexes, that stain as nuclear material. This patient clinical findings were typical of Systemic Lupus Erithematosus (SLE) etiology of her effusion: female with pleuritic pain and fever, with arthritis. She responded to corticosteroids, with rapid clearing of the effusion. Her anti-dsDNA test was positive.
See Case B or Case C
