An irregular pulmonary nodule was confirmed diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia by finding plant cells through rapid on-site evaluation.

BACKGROUND

Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) is a method which is often used in quick-staining cytology in the tumour diagnostic field, and results in a significant decrease in diagnostic time and cost. However, we have not found any previous report on the ROSE method for diagnosing aspiration pneumonia.

METHODS

We would like to discuss the case of a patient with an irregular pulmonary nodule in the left lower lobar bronchus who had a confirmed diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia through ROSE stained by Diff-Quik methods during bronchoscopy.

RESULTS

Through ROSE, which we were able to perform within just 1 min, we observed the plant cells on the smear under the microscope. The Giemsa stain of the specimen, which would take much more time than Diff-Quik, also revealed the plant cells.

CONCLUSION

ROSE for the specimen from the bronchoscopy could be done for the patient who has developed an unexplained pulmonary nodule and is helpful. If the non-human cells such as plant cells are found from the ROSE, aspiration pneumonia can be diagnosed immediately and the corresponding therapy may be performed, which may significantly shorten hospital stay, reduce hospital costs and improve patient outcomes.