Vitreous cytology in asteroid hyalosis and observations on interpretation of cytologic findings in specimens of the posterior (vitreous) compartment of the eye

Haemoglobin spherulosis: Fine needle aspiration biopsy of an unusual ocular lesion

OBJECTIVE

Haemoglobin spherulosis (HS) is a rare lesion occurring post-vitreous haemorrhage that is absent from the cytopathology literature.

METHODS

We present the fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy cytological features of a case of HS occurring in a 73-year-old woman.

RESULTS

FNA smears of hemorrhagic vitreous fluid showed numerous variably sized smooth glassy spherules ranging from 3-20 μm. Occasional red cells and a rare lymphocyte were observed, but other cell types were absent. Immunohistochemical staining of a cell block showed diffuse positive staining of spherules with haemoglobin A.

CONCLUSIONS

HS is a rare lesion that occurs post-subretinal haemorrhage and may be encountered by pathologists examining ocular cytological specimens.

Cytologic analysis of vitreous fluids: A retrospective review of our 24 years of experience

BACKGROUND

Cytologic analysis of vitreous fluid is an important component in diagnosis of vitreitis. No standard reporting guidelines exist for these specimens. This study chronicles our 24 years experience and proposes a tentative diagnostic model.

METHODS

Retrospective cytology reports review and database study. Clinical indications, cytologic patterns, ancillary studies performed, and diagnoses were recorded.

RESULTS

176 samples from 160 patients were included and main cytologic patterns are reflected in Table 1. Most fluids were negative for malignancy (88%) and patterns IIB (53%) and IIA (19%) were dominant. The non-diagnostic rate was 7%; atypical and suspicious categories represented <0.5% of fluids tested and only 2% were positive for malignancy (3 intraocular lymphoma and one melanoma). Clinical indications for fluid examination were infection/inflammation (59%), to rule out lymphoma (11%), amyloidosis (3%), melanoma (2%), or to investigate intraocular hemorrhage. Fungal elements were demonstrated in 7 cases. No viral inclusions were appreciated; however, one case was positive for HSV 2 by IHC and 2 were negative by PCR. One case had Gram + cocci. Flow cytometry studies were suboptimal in 6 fluids, negative for an aberrant lymphocyte population in 11, and positive for high grade lymphoma in 3 cases. Atypical, suspicious and positive for melanoma were reported in 3 samples. Amyloid was identified in 1 aspirate.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytologic analysis of vitreous fluid is a useful tool. Modern techniques like flow cytometry and PCR testing further expand the diagnostic possibilities. Standardization of diagnostic terminology will aid clinicians caring for patients suffering from ocular disease.

[Asteroid hyalosis]

The article analyzes existing information on clinical and experimental studies of vitreous changes in asteroid hyalosis, historical aspects of how this condition was studied over the past hundred years, its occurrence and pathogenesis. Results of various studies were used to evaluate current understanding of the forms and elemental composition of phospholipid mineral sedimentation on vitreous structures and methods of its examination. The problem of intravital assessment of the condition of vitreous body was analyzed, and a method was suggested for studying the macrostructure of hyaloid tracts and the state of the vitreous body by means of digital ultrasound in patients with asteroid hyalosis.