Non gynecologic spx Flashcards
Preparation methods for fluid specimens
Three methods: smears (2 smears), cell block, cytospin; cytospin centrifuge at 1000 rpm for 1 minute; best for body fluids
Universal fixative used for cell blocks; 10% solution
Neutral buffered formalin
Other fixatives for cell blocks
Formalin/95% ethanol rinse, Nathan alcohol formalin substitute (less toxic), and methanol (automated Celient cell block technique)
Method: Centrifuge fluid, obtain sediment, and add 10% formalin; disadvantage: sediment is easily washed out
Direct filtration
Most popular method: Centrifuge to obtain sediment, add 1ml plasma and thrombin, forming a gel-like substance; place on filter paper and add 10% formalin; minimizes washing out but is expensive
Plasma thrombin method
Water-soluble method; centrifuge to obtain sediment, add Carbowax, and place in paraffin block; advantage: no dehydration step; disadvantage: expensive
Carbowax method
Express the aspirate contents onto a slide, allow to dry/clot, scrape material, wrap in tissue paper, and process as routine tissue
Clot and scrape method
Fixative method that is fast, requires no additional equipment, low cost, and provides excellent results
BBC cell block fixative method
Inexpensive method using formalin or alcohol vapor; disadvantages: time-insensitive, variable quality
Formalin or alcohol vapor method
Inexpensive, easy, rapid; good for FNAs and fluids; disadvantages: variable cellular yield, limited data on IHC due to alcohol fixation
Cell block pellet alcoholic fixation
Inexpensive, easy, rapid; good for FNAs and fluids; optimal for IHC and molecular studies; disadvantage: variable cellular yield
Cell block pellet formalin fixation
Simple, low-cost method with clean background; suitable for FNAs and fluids; disadvantages: cross-contamination from plasma/thrombin, uneven cell concentration
Plasma thrombin method
Good cellular yield, suitable for scant cellularity; disadvantages: time-consuming, toxic ether fumes for storage
Colloidin method
Automated system; great for small scanty samples; crisp architecture; no cross-contamination; disadvantages: time-consuming (45 mins/cell block), expensive, histology training required, limited IHC data due to alcohol fixation
Celient automated system
Concentrates cells for an adequate sample; disadvantage: tedious process as Histogel needs conversion to liquid state
Histogel method
Specimens used to rule out malignancies or infections like Pneumocystis; includes bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial washings, bronchial brushings, and sputum
Specimens for respiratory infections and malignancies
Deep cough collection, early morning; presence of alveolar macrophages indicates a satisfactory collection
Manner of collection for sputum
Fixative used for sputum samples
Saccomano fluid
Fixative used for bronchial brushing samples; spray fixative or 95% ethanol
Bronchial brushing fixative
Specimen requiring 8 hours fasting, immediate laboratory delivery, no delay beyond 30 minutes; difficult to prepare
Gastric secretions
Specimens for malignancy detection; jelly-like clots prevented by adding 300 units of heparin per 100 mL aspirate
Peritoneal, pleural, and pericardial fluids
Abnormal discharges from the nipple except during lactation/post-lactation; may be due to ductal ectasia, papilloma, or endocrine problems; smear prepared with pull-up technique, fixed with spray fixative or 95% isopropanol
Nipple discharge specimens
Voided urine for males, catheterized specimen for females; bladder or renal pelvis washings used to minimize contamination
Urinary tract specimens
Specimens used for malignancies; includes CSF, ascitic fluid, pericardial fluids; must be submitted fresh without formalin or alcohol; anticoagulants like heparin may be used
Body cavity effusions
Minimum volume required for CSF specimens
1 mL
