Exfoliative cytology Flashcards
Microscopic study of cells desquamated from epithelial surfaces
Exfoliative cytology
Uses of exfoliative cytology
Detection of malignant or precancerous conditions, cervical lesions, female hormonal status, genetic sex determination, infectious agents
Genetic sex determination in exfoliative cytology
Barr body (inactivated X chromosomes)
Specimens requiring adhesive agents
Urinary sediment, bronchial lavage specimens
Specimens processed with proteolytic enzymes (e.g., Trypsin)
Concentrated sputum, enzymatic lavage samples from GIT
Characteristics of a good adhesive
Permeable to fixative and stain, does not retain the stain
Examples of good adhesives for cytologic methods
Pooled human sera/plasma, Celloidin Ether-Alcohol, Leuconostoc culture, APES (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane)
Fixation time for exfoliative cytology
15 minutes
Papanicolaou’s fixative composition
Equal parts of 95% EtOH and ether
Routine fixative for cytology
95% EtOH
Fixative: saturated aqueous mercuric chloride and acetic acid
Schaudinn’s fluid
Fixative for blood films
Methanol
Composition of Saccomano preservative
50% alcohol and carbowax
Substitute for ethanol in spray fixatives
Hair spray (10-12 inches or 1 foot distance)
Screening test for cervical cancer, linked to HPV serotypes 6, 18
Papanicolaou smear and stain
Uses of Pap smear
Detect infections (STDs), ovarian function (hormonal cytology), infertility testing, malignancy response to therapy, Barr body determination, sexual assault examination
Advantages of Pap stain
Alcoholic content, transparent blue cytoplasm staining, excellent nuclear staining, predictable color range
Disadvantages of Pap stain
Lengthy and complicated procedure, inaccurate acidophilic index
Pap stain: nuclear stain
Harris hematoxylin
Pap stain: stains keratin, mature cells
OG-6 stain (Orange Green 6)
Pap stain: stains immature cells, light green cytoplasm
EA 50 stain
EA 50 compared to EA 36
Comparable; EA 65 differs in light green concentration
Pap stain: nucleus colors
Vesicular nucleus: blue; pyknotic nucleus: dark blue to black
Pap stain: cytoplasm colors
OG-6: Orange with green hint; EA 36/50: Olive green with brown/red hint
Pap stain: bacteria color
Dark blue
Pap stain: mycelia color
Violet
Pap stain: Trichomonas vaginalis color
Pale greenish blue blob of cytoplasm