Diagnostic Cytology

Flashcards covering key terminology and concepts from the Diagnostic Cytology lecture notes, focusing on specimen collection, preparation, and analysis techniques.

Diagnostic Cytology

Microscopic examination of cells from different body sites for diagnostic purposes, including Exfoliative cytology and Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA).

Streaking Smear Preparation

Used for mucoid secretions like vaginal secretion, sputum, and gastric secretion.

Spreading Smear Preparation

Used for thick mucoid secretions and smears of fresh sputum and CSF.

Pull Apart Smear Preparation

Used for serous fluids, concentrated sputum, enzymatic lavage samples from the GIT, smears of urinary sediment, vaginal pool, and breast secretions.

Touch/Impression/Imprint/Abraded Smear Preparation

Used for cut surfaces of tissue such as lymph nodes and other surgical or biopsy specimens; cells are directly taken from the surfaces of excised/incised specimens.

Exfoliative Cytology

Microscopic study of cells that have been desquamated from epithelial surfaces, either spontaneously or physically removed.

Purposes of Exfoliative Cytology

Detection of malignant cells in body fluids, detection of precancerous cervical lesions, assessment of female hormonal status determination of genetic sex and diagnosis of infection .

Smear Technique

Diagnostic technique in which cells are spread out thinly on a clean glass slide; air-dried and stained.

Cell Block Technique

Paraffin-embedded specimen derived from fluids and aspirated materials, considered a “microbiopsy”.

Adjunct Use of Cell Block Technique

Used to establish a more definitive cytopathologic diagnosis in conjunction with smears.

Membrane Filter Method

Technique for collecting cells using a filter with a specialized pore size, utilized when body fluid sample are very small.

Concentration Technique

Method using cytospin and sedimentation preparations to concentrate cells into a small suspension.

Aspiration Cytology

Obtaining specimens (FNAB/Cytology) that do not shed cells spontaneously from palpable or deep-seated lesions.

Specimen Fixation

If smear cannot be made immediately, the collected material should be placed in (1) 50% alcohol or (2) Saccomano fluid.

Gynaecologic Specimens Optimal Sample

Should include squamous, columnar, and metaplastic cells from the transformational zone.

Papanicolau Method

Staining method of choice for exfoliative cytology, providing transparent blue staining of cytoplasm and excellent nuclear detail.

Mature Superficial Cells

Polygonal squamous cells with pale pink staining cytoplasm and dark pyknotic nuclei.

Intermediate Cells

Medium sized polyhedral or elongated cells with basophilic vacuolated cytoplasm.

Parabasal Cells

Round oval cells with dense basophilic cytoplasm, found after childbirth, abortion, and menopause.

Navicular Cells

Boat-shaped intermediate cells with a tendency to fold or curl on edges, suggesting a combined estrogen-progesterone effect.

Pregnancy Cells

Round, oval, or boat-shaped cells with translucent basophilic cytoplasm greatest at the center (glycogen accumulation).

Endometrial Cells

Small cells, slightly cylindrical with less basophilic cytoplasm, occurring in tightly packed groups.

Endocervical Glandular Cells

Pale blue/gray cytoplasm, finely vacuolated, with indistinct cell borders and finely granular chromatin, honeycomb appearance.

Doderlein bacillus

Gram positive, slender rod-shaped organism; most common organism of the normal vaginal flora.

Acidophilic Index

Percentage of cells staining pink, orange, or red with Pap’s method.

Pyknotic Index

Percentage of cells having shrunken, dark, small structureless nuclei.

Maturation Index

Proportion of cells from the three layers of the vaginal epithelium: superficial, intermediate, and deep.

Respiratory Tract Specimens

Obtained to exclude malignancy or infectious agents, especially in immunocompromised patients; includes sputum, BAL/BW, and BB.

Sputum Induction

Aerosol for 20 min to help patients who cannot produce sputum.

Bronchoscopy Specimens

Include bronchial brushing (pull-apart technique) and bronchial washing (freshly collected in container).

Cell Suspensions

From direct tap of pleural/peritoneal effusions, CSF, and synovial fluid; optimum amount is 20 mL.

Gastrointestinal Specimens

Include gastric lavage, gastric brush, and FNA; specimens should be examined ASAP after collection.

Peritoneal, Pleural and Pericardial Fluids

The presence of malignant cells in serous fluid usually indicate metastasis, clots can be prevented by heparin.

Breast Secretions

Nipple discharge has an extremely low diagnostic yield for the diagnosis of breast cancer; bloody secretion may indicate benign intraductal papilloma.

Urinary Tract Specimen Types

Voided urine, catheterized specimen, washing from the bladder or renal pelvis.

Body Cavity Effusions

Include PF, ascitic/AF, peritoneal washing, pericardial, & CSF; positive malignancy may be the first presentation of cancer of unknown origin.

Wright-Giemsa Staining (W-G)

Useful when diagnosis of lymphoma and enhances cytoplasmic details especially in Cerebro spinal fluid.