Carcinoembryonic antigen immunocytochemistry examination increase diagnosis sensitivity of meningeal carcinomatosis

Objective:To assess the role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) immunocytochemistry in the diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis. Methods:Twenty one cerebrospinal fluid specimens from 13 patients with meningeal carcinomatosis and 7 specimens from 5 non meningeal carcinomatosis patients were tested with routine cytologic examination and CEA immunocytochemistry examination. Results:The positive rate of routine cerebrospinal fluid cytologic examination and CEA immunocytochemistry examination were 42.86%(9/21) and 80.95%(17/21),respectively;there was significant difference ( P 0.05), and the 2 positive rates were 30.77%(4/13) and 76.92%(10/13) in the first cerebrospinal fluid specimens; there was also significant difference( P 0.05).The results of cerebrospinal fluid specimens examination from non meningeal carcinomatosis patients were all negative. Conclusion:The sensitivity of CEA immunocytochemistry examination is superior to that of routine cerebrospinal fluid cytologic examination in the diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis, and the specificity of the former is also higher.