[Contribution of immunocytochemical marking of benign cells to the diagnosis of serous effusions]. / Apport du marquage immunocytochimique des cellules bénignes au diagnostic des épanchements des séreuses.

In pleural and peritoneal effusions, the distinction between mesothelial cells and histiocytic cells is fairly often difficult. This distinction is specially important in malignant effusions, where such reactive cells can be confused with tumoral ones. In order to increase the accuracy of cytological diagnosis, the immunocytochemical reactivity with 13 antibodies was studied. Four antibodies (vimentin, lysozyme, monoclonal keratin, OKM1) realise a panel specially useful for the characterization of mesothelial and histiocytic cells in most cases of benign or malignant effusions.