Cellient™ automated cell block versus traditional cell block preparation: a comparison of morphologic features and immunohistochemical staining.

Traditional cell block (TCB) sections serve as an important diagnostic adjunct to cytologic smears but are also used today as a reliable preparation for immunohistochemical (IHC) studies. There are many ways to prepare a cell block and the methods continue to be revised. In this study, we compare the TCB with the Cellient™ automated cell block system. Thirty-five cell blocks were obtained from 16 benign and 19 malignant nongynecologic cytology specimens at a large university teaching hospital and prepared according to TCB and Cellient protocols. Cell block sections from both methods were compared for possible differences in various morphologic features and immunohistochemical staining patterns. In the 16 benign cases, no significant morphologic differences were found between the TCB and Cellient cell block sections. For the 19 malignant cases, some noticeable differences in the nuclear chromatin and cellularity were identified, although statistical significance was not attained. Immunohistochemical or special stains were performed on 89% of the malignant cases (17/19). Inadequate cellularity precluded full evaluation in 23% of Cellient cell block IHC preparations (4/17). Of the malignant cases with adequate cellularity (13/17), the immunohistochemical staining patterns from the different methods were identical in 53% of cases. The traditional and Cellient cell block sections showed similar morphologic and immunohistochemical staining patterns. The only significant difference between the two methods concerned the lower overall cell block cellularity identified during immunohistochemical staining in the Cellient cell block sections.

Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax following high-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation for mantle cell lymphoma without evidence of pulmonary disease.

Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax (SBSP) during high-dose chemotherapy has been described in patients with pulmonary involvement by malignancy, including sarcoma, trophoblastic tumor, non-seminomatous testicular cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We present a case of SBSP developing in a patient 11 days after a high-dose chemotherapy preparative regimen and stem cell transplantation without underlying pulmonary disease or evidence of lung lesions. It is important to recognize spontaneous pneumothorax as a potential complication of high-dose chemotherapy, especially in patients with known pulmonary lesions.