pathological processes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study included 250 cases of body fluids and smears were stained with Giemsa and Papanicolaou

(PAP) stains. Improved Neubauer counting chamber was used for cell counting.

RESULTS: Out of total 250 cases, 114 were pleural fluid, 84 were peritoneal fluid, 32 were of cerebrospinal fluid and 20 were of synovial fluid. The

age varied from 7–90 years with Male to female ratio of 1.9:1. 139 cases were of exudates and 111 were transudates. 226 cases were benign, 14 cases

were malignant whereas 10 cases were suspicious of malignancy.

CONCLUSION: Cytological evaluation of body fluids is a relatively simple, safe, rapid, minimal invasive and inexpensive procedure that helps in

rapid diagnosis and therefore early management of the patient.