Intro to Cytology

Question 1

What are the advantages of cytology vs histology?

Answer 1

*Less invasive
*Faster
*Cheaper
*Can be done in house
*Better cell assessment + can assess fluids

Question 2

What are sources of cells for cytology?

Answer 2

*Tissues - palpable lesions (masses), internal organs, lymph nodes + BM
*Fluids - body fluids = abdominal/thoracic effusions, joint fluid, CSF

Question 3

How can collection of cells be carried out?

Answer 3

*Fine needle biopsy
*Fine needle aspirate
*Touch imprints / skin scrapes
*Swabs
*Aspiration of body fluids
*Administration + collection of body fluids - tracheal wash / bronchoalveolar lavage

Question 4

How would you prepare slides of different samples?

Answer 4

*Masses + organs = squash preparations
*Biopsies = imprint
*Fluids = smear

Try not to stain the best one

Question 5

What should be noted on a slide?

Answer 5

*Patient name + site of material

Question 6

What should be done at low power (4x-10x)?

Answer 6

*Quick scan for quality, cell preservation + distribution
*Scan for big stuff (Larvae, fungi, eggs, foreign material)
*Preliminary identification of cell types + arrangement
*Assess background

Question 7

What can be artefactual?

Answer 7

*Ruptured cells
*Poorly stained - too quick / too thick
*Too much ultrasound gel
*Change / filter stain

Question 8

What should be done at high power? (40x-50x)

Answer 8

*Identification of cell types - inflammatory, tissue cells or mix
*Classify inflammation = neutrophilic, eosinophilic, lymphocytic, histiocytic, mixed
*Identify tissue cells = normal / abnormal (neoplasia)

Question 9

What is normal in skin cytology?

Answer 9

*Few keratinocytes

Question 10

What can be done with very high power (100x)?

Answer 10

*Identification of microorganisms