Cytology Methods of Collection

List the methods of collection. (7)

* Swabs
* Fine Needle Biopsy
* Tissue Biopsy
* Imprints
* Centesis
* Scrapings
* Smears

What is the purpose of a swab collection?

* collects superficial cells and bacteria
* Collects cells that are delicate in nature

Sites for Swab Collection

* Body Cavities (Nasal/Vaginal)
* Fistulous Tracts

What materials do you need for swab collection?

* Cotton swaps
* Sterile if performing culture
* 0.9% isotonic saline
* Microscope slides

How should you transfer the cells on a swab to a slide?

Roll do not rub

Why should you avoid collecting mucopurulent discharge for swabs?

It is full of dead cells, yeast, and bacteria that is not usually the causative agent

What is the purpose of fine needle biopsy?

* collects cells within the target area
* Avoids surface contaminants

Sites for Fine Needle Biopsy

* masses
* Lymph nodes
* Organs
* Nodular lesions

What materials are needed for fine needle biopsy?

* Surgical Prep Material
* 3-12 cc syringe
* 21-25 gauge needle
* Microscope slides

What needle size should you use for a soft mass?

Smaller gauge needle

Purpose of Tissue Biopsy

Collect a small section of tissue rather than individual cells

* cytological or histological evaluation

Wedge Tissue Biopsy

Uses a scalpel blade to excise a small tissue piece that includes three areas: from lesion, transitional tissue, normal tissue

Punch Tissue Biopsy

Circular blade attached to a handle that excises tissue with gentle rotation

Sites for Tissue Biopsy

* Superficial Locations: Skin/Masses
* Internal Organs (Ultrasound guided)
* Intestinal Biopsies (endoscope guided)

Sites for Imprints

* directly from skin or superficial lesion
* Tissues / cells removed via biopsies

Sites for Centesis

* Peritoneal fluid (abdominocentesis)
* Pleural fluid (Thoracocentesis)
* Urine (cystocentesis)
* Joint fluid (arthrocentesis)
* Cerebrospinofluid (Cisternal Puncture)

Purpose of Scraping

Collect superficial cells of the skin and diagnose mites

What gauge scalpel blade is used in scrapings?

10

When is a feather smear ideal?

Highly cellular samples

When is a line smear ideal?

Low cellular samples

When is the compression method for smears ideal?

When cellular clumps are anticipated

When is the Modified Squash smear method ideal?

Reduces chance of cellular rupture

When is the starfish smear method ideal?

Gently spreads samples onto slide

When is Romanowsky Stain (diff quick and Wrights) good to use?

Determination of inflammation or neoplasia

When is New Methylene Blue stain useful?

Samples with high amounts of blood contamination

What is the purpose of ear cytology?

Diagnose:

* Otodectes Cyanotis
* Malassezia Organisms
* Bacterial Infections
* Inflammatory responses

Where will the sample give the best representation for ear cytology?

Where the vertical and horizontal ear canal meet

What should you label the slide with for an ear cytology?

Indicate which ear it came from (AD/AS)

What do you stain ear slides with? When don’t you use stain?

Diff Quick

* UNLESS mites are suspected