Cytology Flashcards
the body fluid most commonly sampled for cytology is..
venous blood
cells may be mechanically removed for cytology by what methods?
aspirates
scrapes
washing
when analyzing a fluid, you measure total protein by…
refractometry
why do pure transudates form?
due to hypoalbuminemia
why do modified transudates form?
due to impaired blood or lymph
-obstructing tumor example
why do exudates form?
due to increased capillary permeability –> excess cytokines
compare and contrast transudate vs. exudate
transudate: clear appearance, total protein 3 g/dL, NCC >6000/uL, clot formation = YES
If you suspect a chylous effusion, what test would you like to run?
triglyceride measurement
If you suspect a ruptured bile duct/bile leakage, what test would you like to run?
bilirubin measurement
if you suspect uroabdomen, what test would you like to run?
creatinine measurement
When taking an aspirate on a cat, what do you want to avoid? Want to remain anterior to the _____.
avoid the heart and liver when aspirating
remain anterior to the liver!
If you need fluid from the thoracic cavity, what do you ask your tech. to bring you and why?
a catheter (it’s better than a needle) to avoid pneumothorax
Aspiration biopsies are performed using (what gauge needle and what mL syringe) and are useful for obtaining cells from…
Aspirates are performed using 21-25 gauge needles and a 12 mL syringe.
Useful for obtaining cells from masses, internal organs, and lymph nodes
advantages of the capillary method when obtaining an aspirate include..
less hemodilution of a sample and increased cellularity
What are the slide prep. techniques?
push films
“line” films
pull films
cytospin preps
Push Films are similar to blood films, what are the advantages/disadvantages of push films?
big cells at the edge - advantage
cells broken at the edge - disadvantage
How do you perform a pull film? Advantages/Disadvantages?
place a drop of fluid on slide, place another slide on top, allow drop to spread, pull slides gently apart
Adv.- cells nicely spread out
DisAdv. - no concentration of big cells
What is the deal with the cytospin preps?
concentrates cells nicely especially for CSF
it is very expensive
bacteria stain ____ with Wright’s stain and are easier to visualize than with Gram Stain; but when bacteria die Gram+ may appear as _____
bacteria stain BLUE w/ wright’s and are easier to visualize than w/ Gram; but when bacteria die Gram+ may appear as Gram -
What is the only disadvantage of Diff Quik, Quick Dip stain?
may not stain mast cell granules
scrapings are useful for obtaining cells from…what tools do you use?
firm surfaces
Ex:conjunctival scrapings & firm cutaneous lesions
Use scalpel blades or spatulas
swabs are used to obtain cells from…
mucosal surfaces (vagina, rectum, nose)
what are imprints?
made of superficial cutaneous lesions or from tissues removed at surgery or necropsy
may be diagnostic but only reflect surface inflammation and contamination
Suppurative inflammation is AKA ________
What cells predominate?
Suppurative Inflamm. is AKA Neutrophilic
Neutrophils predominate
Mixed Inflammation means you see what cells?
segs, lymphs, macs, maybe eos
Mononuclear Inflammation has _________________ cells predominately.
mononuclear inflammation has macrophages and lymphocytes predominately
Why are transitional epithelial cells on a cytology misleading?
they appear malignant bc they divide rapidly and exhibit malignant features BUT they are BENIGN
In body cavity effusions, what cells are often confused as carcinoma cells?
Mesothelial cells
Successful cytology is only when cells are ________ thick and not _____.
successful cytology is only when cells are 1 layer thick and not broken
When are you most likely to get a thick preparation?
lymph nodes, bone marrow, and mass aspirates are thick
squirt preps are thick
In general, the more inflammatory cells that are present, the less likely it is that the lesion is _________. The exception to this is…?
The more inflammatory cells that are present, the less likely it is that the lesion is NEOPLASTIC.
The exception = SCC which elicits an inflammatory response.
In septic inflammatory lesions, neutrophils undergo rapid degeneration and eventual rupture through a process called karyolysis. If you see karyolysis, you should look hard for….
bacteria in the cytoplasm of the neutrophils
stain blue with Wright’s stain
Plasma cells are most commonly seen in ______________ and indicate antibody production as a result of _____________.
plasma cells are most commonly seen in chronic inflammatory lesions and indicate antibody production as a result of antigenic stimulation
Eosinophils are present in cytologies when…
allergic responses occur
present in large numbers with mast cell tumors
What are almost always the predominate cell type in aspirates of mast cell tumors?
mast cells
In a pt. w/ enterocentesis or septic peritonitis, describe what leukogram you expect…
inflammatory leukogram and likely neutropenia w/ a left shift
most bacteria are phagocytized by neutrophils. what is the exception?
mycobacteria - phagocytized by macrophages
What is the criteria of malignancy?
variable nuclear size (anisokaryosis)
large multiple nuclei
abnormal mitoses
nuclear molding
what cell types do you encounter in neoplastic effusions?
lymphoblasts
carcinoma cells
3yo cat presents with abdominal effusion and dyspnea. T Pro 5.5 g/dL NCC 8900/uL 40% neutrophils 20% lymphocytes 40% lrg. mononuclear cells
What is your diagnosis?
FIP!
Cats with high protein and relatively low cell concentrations = FIP!!!
2yo cat with acute anorexia, weight loss and dyspnea.
T Pro 3.6 g/dL
NCC 15,700/uL
Small Lymphocytes on Histo.
What test do you want to run?
Test - cholesterol: triglyceride ratio
If chylous effusion is prolonged, you expect to see….
inflammatory cells - neutrophils and macrophages
2yo cat with acute anorexia, weight loss and dyspnea.
T Pro 3.6 g/dL
NCC 15,700/uL
Small Lymphocytes on Histo. cholesterol: triglyceride ratio = TP 5g/dL NCC 9000/uL fluid triglyceride concentration > than that of serum
Does the cholesterol: triglyceride ratio confirm the presence of chyle?
If an animal is eating, where do you expect to find chyle?
Diagnosis?
Chyle presence confirmed
If an animal is eating, you expect to find chyle in the triglycerides.
Diagnosis : chylous effusion
Chylous effusion…what cells? What if it is secondary to lymphoma?
acute - small lymphocytes
prolonged - inflammatory cells (neuts and macs)
if chylous effusion is secondary to lymphoma, lymphoblasts are normally present
8yo German Shepherd with acute weakness, enlarged abdomen, pale MMs and dyspnea. CBC PCV - 18% TP - 5.8 g/dL Abdominal fluid analysis Red, cloudy TP - 6 g/dL NCC - 10000/uL PCV - 24%
Histo: Macrophages that have phagocytized erythrocytes and contain hemosiderin.
You convince the owner that you need to perform exploratory surgery and take an imprint from a mass on the liver. The imprint shows spindle shaped sarcoma cells.
Diagnosis?
Hemangiosarcoma of the spleen and liver that ruptured, resulting in hemoabdomen.
Remove the spleen and liver lobe.
