Lesson 4

Question 1

Describe the purpose of cytology

evaluations

Answer 1

Techniques that can be used for the collection of cytology samples are swab, scrape, or imprint technique. Fine-needle biopsy can also be used for some solid samples as well as fluid samples. Centesis refers to fluid samples that are collected from body cavities.

Question 2

Outline sample collection procedures
for cytology examination of solid
masses or surgically obtained tissues

Answer 2

The mass to be aspirated is held firmly to help with penetration of the skin and mass and to control the direction of the needle. The needle, with the syringe attached, is introduced into the center of the mass, and strong negative pressure is applied by withdrawing the plunger to approximately three fourths of the volume of the syringe. When material is observed in the hub of the needle or after several areas are sampled, the negative pressure is relieved from the syringe, and the needle is withdrawn from the mass and the skin. Next, the needle is removed from the syringe, and air is drawn into the syringe. The needle is then replaced onto the syringe, and some of the tissue in the barrel and hub of the needle is expelled onto the middle of a glass microscope slide by rapidly depressing the plunger.

Question 3

Outline sample collection procedures
for cytology examination of fluid
samples

Answer 3

For the aspiration method of fine-needle biopsy, use a 21- to 25-gauge needle and a 3- to 20-mL syringe. The softer the aspirated tissue is, the smaller the needle and syringe to be used. The use of a needle larger than 21-gauge for aspiration is seldom advantageous, even for firm tissues such as fibromas. When larger needles are used, tissue cores tend to be aspirated, thereby resulting in a poor yield of free cells that are suitable for cytologic preparation. In addition, larger needles tend to cause greater blood contamination.

Question 4

Outline methods for categorizing

inflammatory samples

Answer 4

Cytology samples from inflammatory sites are therefore characterized by the presence of white blood cells, particularly neutrophils and macrophages.

Question 5

Describe the characteristics of malignant cells

Answer 5

In general, if three or more nuclear criteria of malignancy are present, the specimen is identified as malignant.