Ergussanalyse – Fokus auf die zytologische Auswertung

Zusammenfassung

Körperhöhlenergüsse sind ein häufiger Befund in der Kleintiermedizin. Die Analyse von Ergussflüssigkeit dient der Aufarbeitung der zugrundeliegenden Pathologie. Eine Klassifizierung erfolgt anhand der Messung von Zellzahl und Proteingehalt in die Kategorien proteinarmes Transsudat, proteinreiches Transsudat und Exsudat. Für bestimmte Sonderformen (z. B. Chylus, hämorrhagische Ergüsse, Uroperitoneum, biliäre Ergüsse, neoplastische Ergüsse) stellt die zytologische Untersuchung ein wichtiges Hilfsmittel dar und kann in Kombination mit der biochemischen Untersuchung eine genauere Klassifizierung und gegebenenfalls eine spezifische Diagnosestellung ermöglichen. Die zytologische Untersuchung ist daher fundamentaler Bestandteil jeder Ergussanalyse und sollte immer in Korrelation mit den weiteren Untersuchungsergebnissen und dem klinischen Bild interpretiert werden.

Worauf bei der zytologischen Untersuchung zu achten ist, welche spezifischen Befunde bei den genannten Ergussformen zu finden sind, wann weiterführende Diagnostik sinnvoll ist und welche Limitationen zu beachten sind, wird in diesem Übersichtsartikel dargelegt.

Abstract

Body cavity effusion is a common finding in small animal medicine. Fluid analysis is needed in order to determine the underlying pathology. Classification into the categories of protein-poor transudate, protein-rich transudate and exudate is based on the measurement of cell count and protein content. The cytological examination is an important tool for certain effusion variants (e. g. chyle, hemorrhagic effusions, uroperitoneum, biliary effusions, neoplastic effusions) and can complement the biochemical analysis enabling a more precise classification and, in some instances, providing a specific diagnosis. This review article highlights what to look for during the microscopic evaluation, which specific findings can be identified in the different types of effusion, when further diagnostics test are indicated as well as which limitations are to be taken into account.

Schlüsselwörter

Zytologie - Körperhöhlenerguss - Transsudat - Exsudat - Zellmorphologie

Keywords

Cytology - body cavity effusion - transudate - exudate - cytomorphology

Publication History

Received: 27 January 2025

Accepted: 02 May 2025

Article published online:
02 September 2025

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