Ch 52 Cytology Flashcards
What are the different techniques used for processing cytology samples?
- Impression smears
- Compression or modified compression preparations
- Line smears
- Starfish smears
- Wedge smears
The type of preparation depends on the characteristics of the sample.
What may be required for some cytology samples?
- Centrifugation
- Anticoagulant
- Preservatives
Several different preparations are usually made from each sample to allow for diagnostic testing without additional collection.
What influences the choice of technique for smear preparation?
- Experience of the person preparing the smears
- Characteristics of the sample
Several methods can be used for preparation of smears from solid masses.
Describe the compression preparation technique.
Expel contents of aspirate onto the middle of slide, place a second slide at right angles and slide across the prep slide without downward pressure.
Excessive cell rupturing occurs if too much pressure is applied.
What is a combination technique in smear preparation?
Place aspirate on the middle of slide, pull spreader slide backward at 45-degree angle, then slide forward and horizontally over the back third of aspirate.
This method creates three different types of areas to evaluate.
What is the purpose of the starfish smear technique?
Drags the aspirate peripherally in several directions with a needle, ideal for viscous samples.
Tends not to damage cells but leaves a thick layer.
When should smears from fluid samples be prepared?
Immediately after collection.
If possible, samples should be collected with EDTA.
What is a line smear?
A drop of fluid is placed on the slide, and a blood smear technique is used, raising the spreader slide upward to create a line of higher cell concentration.
This technique is used for low cellularity or small volume samples.
Describe the wedge smear technique.
A drop of fluid placed on the slide, second slide pulled backward at a 30- to 40-degree angle, then pushed forward to create a feathered edge.
This method is also known as a blood smear.
What is the preferred fixative for cytology samples?
95% methanol.
It must be fresh and not contaminated.
What are Romanowsky stains used for?
- Stain organisms
- Stain cytoplasm of cells
Examples include Wright, Giemsa, Diff-Quik, and DipStat.
What is the benefit of New Methylene Blue in cytology staining?
Stains cytoplasms weakly but provides excellent nuclear detail.
RBCs do not stain with New Methylene Blue.
What are Papanicolaou stains known for?
Excellent nuclear detail and delicate cytoplasmic detail.
They do not stain cytoplasm well and require many steps to prepare.
What can cause poor stain quality in cytology preparations?
- Using unclean slides
- Using contaminated stains
- Not fixing cytologic preparations
- Touching the slide surface with hands
- Contamination with foreign substances
These factors can complicate the staining process.
What should be submitted when samples are sent for interpretation?
- 2 to 3 air dried unstained smears
- 2 to 3 Romanowsky-stained smears
- Direct smears and concentrated smears of fluids
- EDTA and red-top tube samples
Protect slides during mailing; do not send unfixed slides with formalin-containing samples.
What are the commonly performed methods for solid samples in cytology?
- Compression smear
- Starfish smear
- Combination methods
Preparation method is based on characteristics of the sample and volume obtained.
What is the most commonly used method for cytology sample preparation?
Compression preparation.
Line smears are preferred for small samples or low cellularity.
How are cytology slides fixed before staining?
Fixed with methanol before staining.
Most cytology samples can be stained with Romanowsky stain.
