Cytology

Cytology

1. Touch Imprints ("Impression Smears")

   • Rapid Dx of some external lesions & excised tissues (may be subsequently examined by histopath)
   • Yield fewer cells than scrapings
   • Risk of only detecting surface inflammation/blood or contaminants

2. Scrapings

   • Dx of some external lesion & excised tissue
     • Collects more cells than impression smears
   • Parasitology on skin
   • Scapel perpendicylar to surface being scraped
     • Blunt spatula for delicate tissues (Ex. Conjunctiva)

3. Fine Needle Aspirates (FNA)

   • Cutaneous masses, Internal masses & organs, lymph nodes, etc.
   • Avoids superficial contamination
   • Collects samples from deep within the lesion/tissue
   • Risk of coming out of small lesions, or missing them altogether

4. Swabs

   • Tissues which are not readily reached
     • Vagina, fistulous tracts
   • Cotton swabs moistened w/ 0.9% NaCl (Saline)

5. Squash Preparation

   • FNAs, viscous fluid samples, samples concentrated by centrifugation, samples w/ flecks of cellular material & Bone marrow aspirates
   • Spreader (top) slide can be at right angles or parallel to the sample slide

6. Blood/Fluid smear technique

   • Blood smears, fluids of medium to high cellularity, samples concentrated by centrifugation

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