HISTOPATH 2 Flashcards
Branch of general cytology; deals with microscopic study of cells desquamated (shed) from epithelial surfaces
EXFOLIATIVE CYTOLOGY
step required to be performed STAT in exfoliative cytology
Fixation
(cells decompose/degenerate easily)
PURPOSE OF EXFOLIATIVE CYTOLOGY
- Detect cancerous / malignant conditions
- Detect asymptomatic CA in women or pre-CA cervical lesions
- Genetic sex determination
- Detection of infection (i.e HPV, trichomoniasis, yeast infection)
- Evaluate female hormonal status in case of sterility
3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPECIMENS PROCESSED IN HISTOPATH
- Autopsy
- Biopsy
- Cytology specimens
TYPES OF CYTOLOGY SPECIMENS
Gynecological
Non-gynecological (fluid specimens)
Example of Gynecological spx
Cervicovaginal smear (PAP smear)
Example of Non-gynecological (fluid specimens)
- Sputum
- Smears of urine sediments
- Endometrial and endocervical smears
- Prostatic and breast secretions
- Pleural and peritoneal fluids
- Gastric and bronchial secretions
- CSF
THREE TYPES OF PREPARATION FOR NON-GYNECOLOGIC (FLUID) SPECIMENS
- Smears
- Cell block – BEST
- Cytospin
type of preparation for non-gynecological (fluid) spx that requires 2 slides
Smears
type of preparation for non-gynecological (fluid) spx that is known to be the BEST method to collect cells in fluids
Cell block
type of preparation for non-gynecological (fluid) spx that includes centrifugation at 1000 rpm for 1 minute
Cytospin
Enumerate RESPIRATORY TRACT SPECIMENS
BAL
Bronchial washings
Bronchial brushings
Sputum
Specimen used to detect pneumocystis jirovecii (among AIDS px)
BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE (BAL)
Manner of collection for SPUTUM
deep cough, 3 consecutive mornings
Used to confirm SPUTUM
microscopic evaluation of ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGE
Indicator cell for satisfactory sputum collection
Alveolar macrophage
Fixative used for SPUTUM in exfoliative cytology
Saccomano’s fluid
Fixative used for BRONCHIAL BRUSHING in exfoliative cytology
Spray fixative or
95% ethanol
These specimen requires at least 8 hours fasting prior collection
GASTRIC SECRETIONS / ASPIRATES / LAVAGE
These specimen requires immediate transport to the lab; no delay beyond 30 minutes
GASTRIC SECRETIONS / ASPIRATES / LAVAGE
Requirement for GASTRIC SECRETIONS / ASPIRATES / LAVAGE prior to collection
at least 8 hours fasting
Specimen with LOW diagnostic yield for breast CA diagnosis
BREAST SECRETION
(NIPPLE DISCHARGE)
T/F
Discharge during and post lactation may be abnormal
FALSE
NORMAL
Nipple discharge during these conditions may be normal
during and post lactation
Discharge from breast nipple is usually _______ & may be due to ________________
benign
lesion like duct ectasia & papilloma
Smear preparation for breast secretion
Pull apart technique
Fixative of breast secretion for exfoliative cytology
Spray fixative or
95% IPA
Other methods to detect breast CA
Mammography
Breast ultrasound
Biopsy if lump is present
SMEAR PREPARATION TECHNIQUES
Streaking
Spreading
Pull-apart
Touch prep. (Impression smear)
SMEAR PREPARATION TECHNIQUE:
Apply spx at one corner of the slide, spread in a zigzag manner
Streaking
SMEAR PREPARATION TECHNIQUE:
Apply spx at the center, spread by teasing
Spreading
SMEAR PREPARATION TECHNIQUE:
Recommended for thick secretions
Apply spx at the center then place another slide (two slides used), slides are moved in opposite direction
Pull-apart
SMEAR PREPARATION TECHNIQUE:
Gentle smearing of the specimen across the slide
Touch prep. (Impression smear)
BODY CAVITY FLUIDS
Peritoneal-Pleural-Pericardial Fluids
Common problem in body cavity fluids (Peritoneal-Pleural-Pericardial Fluids)
JELLY CLOTS
Remedy for Jelly clots in body cavity fluids (Peritoneal-Pleural-Pericardial Fluids)
add 300 units heparin/100 mL of aspirate
Types of urinary tract specimens for exfoliative cytology
Voided
Catheterized
Washing from bladder/renal pelvis
Urinary tract specimens are used to detect
urothelial malignancies
Guidelines for proper urinary specimen collection
- First voided urine must be discarded (overnight cell degeneration)
- Second void is preferred
- Delay: refrigeration
- NO preservative
AMOUNT: 50 ml
BODY CAVITY EFFUSIONS
CSF, ascitic fluid
Guidelines for proper body cavity effusion collection
- Submitted fresh
- Formalin or alcohol should NOT be used
CSF AMOUNT: 1 mL
rpm and duration of centrifugation of spx for exfoliative cytology
1000 rpm for 1 minute
Extra sediments obtained after centrifugation is used for
cell block technique
METHODS OF CELL BLOCK PREPARATION
Direct Filtration – ROUTINELY PERFORMED
Plasma Thrombin method
Carbowax method
Routinely performed method of cell block preparation
Direct Filtration
- Centrifuge fluid, decant, collect sediment
- Add 10% formalin to sediment
- Embed using paraffin
Direct Filtration
Disadvantage of Direct Filtration
easily washed out
- Centrifuge fluid, decant, collect sediment
- Add 1 ml plasma and add thrombin → forms gel-like substance
- Place in a filter paper (reduces washing out)
- Add 10% formalin
Plasma Thrombin method
Advantage and disadvantage of Plasma Thrombin method
Advantage: reduced washing out
Disadvantage: expensive
- Centrifuge fluid, decant, collect sediment
- Add carbowax to sediment
- Place in a paraffin block
Carbowax method
Advantage and disadvantage of Carbowax method
Advantage: no dehydration step
Disadvantage: expensive
T/F
Smears should be prepared from fresh material and must be prepared and FIX while moist. We must prevent drying of specimens.
T
Duration of smear fixation for cytology
10-15 minutes
ensure that the cells attach to the slides
Adhesives
Spx not requiring adhesives
Specimens with ↑ proteins
Spx requiring adhesives
▪ Urinary sediments
▪ Bronchial lavage
▪ Concentrated sputum
▪ Specimens with trypsin
ADHESIVES FOR CYTOLOGY
- Pooled serum or plasma
- Celloidin ether alcohol
- Leuconostoc culture
- APES – 3 aminopropyltriethoxysilane
Bacteria used in Leuconostoc culture
gram positive cocci
most common TISSUE adhesive
Mayer’s egg albumin
T/F
Mayer’s egg albumin is also used in cytology as an adhesive
F
NOT used in cytology: stained intensely by the PAP counterstain