Cytology Specimens (cytology + specimen)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Synchronous high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and adenocarcinoma in situ of cervix in a young woman presenting with hyperchromatic crowded groups in the cervical cytology specimen: Report of a case

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 11 2008
Nadeem Zafar M.D.
Abstract We report a 29-year-old woman who underwent routine gynecologic evaluation at a community clinic and had a cervical sample drawn for liquid-based cytologic evaluation. At cytology, many hyperchromatic crowded groups (HCG) were present, but a consensus could not be established whether the abnormal cells were primarily glandular or squamous with secondary endocervical glandular involvement. An interpretation of atypical endocervical cells, favor neoplastic, was rendered and biopsy advised if clinically appropriate. At biopsy, the cervix contained synchronous squamous cell carcinoma in situ, secondarily involving endocervical glands, and neighboring adenocarcinoma in situ. Immunohistochemistry for Ki-67 and p16INK4A crisply and precisely stained both the lesions, clearly separating them from the adjacent uninvolved mucosa. This case re-emphasizes the challenge associated with accurate evaluation of HCG at cytology, the significance of ancillary testing for surrogate markers of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection, the need for adjunct testing for HPV-DNA in the setting of HCG at cervical cytology, and a recommendation to set up studies to evaluate the role of surrogate markers of HR-HPV infection in cytologic samples with HCG. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:823,826. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Diagnostic pitfalls in the evaluation of fine needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid: correlation with histopathology in 260 cases

CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
A. N. Haberal
Objectives:, Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the thyroid is a non-invasive, cost-effective screening procedure that is valuable for distinguishing neoplastic lesions from non-neoplastic nodules. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of FNACs performed at our institution by correlating FNAC results with histopathological diagnoses. Methods:, Two hundred and seventy-one aspiration cytology specimens followed by thyroidectomy were included in the study, and the results of 260 adequate FNACs were compared with their histological diagnoses. Results:, The sensitivity and specificity of thyroid FNAC for detecting neoplasia were 92.6% and 91.6%, respectively. There were 15 (5.7%) false positives and six (2.3%) false negatives. Conclusions:, The results showed that follicular cells that exhibit some of the features of papillary carcinoma could be observed in a cytology slide of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, leading to a diagnostic pitfall. In addition, cellularity and overlapping cytological criteria in hyperplasia might lead to a false diagnosis. [source]


Comparison of p16INK4A and Hybrid Capture® 2 human papillomavirus testing as adjunctive tests in liquid-based gynecologic SurePathÔ preparations

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2008
Aziza Nassar M.D., F.I.A.C.
Abstract p16INK4a, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, is functionally inactivated in many tumors, including cervical cancer. We compared p16INK4A immunocytochemical staining and Hybrid Capture® 2 (HCII) on SurePathÔ specimens using tissue biopsies (as the gold standard). Their utility in a spectrum of atypical and preneoplastic lesions, and their ability to accurately identify underlying lesions of CIN II or greater was assessed using biopsy follow-up data. One-hundred and seventeen residual SurePathÔ samples were collected: 43 atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 47 low-grade (LGSIL), and 27 high-grade (HGSIL) squamous intraepithelial lesions. Two slides were prepared from each sample; one stained with the SurePathÔ autocyte stain and one immunostained using the CINtecÔ p16INK4a Cytology Kit (Dakocytomation). High-risk HPV testing was performed using the HCII DNA test (Digene, Gaithersburg, MD). Available tissue biopsy follow-up data was retrieved. p16INK4a was positive in 32.6% (14/43) ASCUS, 46.8% (22/47) LGSIL, and 48.1% (13/27) HGSIL specimens. HCII DNA test was positive in 41.9% (18/43) ASCUS, 78.7% (37/47) LGSIL, and 96.3% (26/27) HGSIL samples. The sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values of p16INK4a and HCII were: 58.7% and 89.8%, 58.6% and 34.6%, 69.2% and 72.1%, 47.2% and 64.3%, respectively. In patients with cervical biopsies, the PPV of HCII (92.3%) results for a biopsy with CINII/III was significantly higher than the PPV of p16INK4a (52%) (P = 0.001). Using liquid-based cytology specimens, HCII is a more sensitive test than p16INK4a for detection of abnormal cytology. HCII has a higher PPV than p16INK4a for identifying CIN II/III. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:142,148. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


The diagnostic utility of D2-40 for malignant mesothelioma versus pulmonary carcinoma with pleural involvement

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 12 2006
Ph.D., Reda S. Saad M.D.
Abstract Differentiating malignant mesothelioma (MM) from pulmonary carcinoma in pleural fluid cytology can be challenging. Recent studies have suggested that D2-40, a novel lymphatic marker, may be a useful marker for mesothelial differentiation in surgical specimens. However, there are no available data regarding its utility in effusion cytology specimens. We investigated the utility of D2-40 in pleural fluid cytology in differentiating MM from pulmonary carcinomas. Twenty cases of pleural effusion smears of surgically confirmed MM with their corresponding cell blocks were retrieved from the database of the hospital computer system. We also included 10 cases of metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma (PA) and 10 cases metastatic pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) involving the pleural fluid. Cell blocks were formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded, and immunostained for TTF1, p63, calretinin, CK5/6, WT-1, and D2-40. Cases were scored as negative (<5% positivity) or positive (>5% moderate/strong positivity). The positive rates for TTF1, p63, calretinin, CK5/6, WT-1, and D2-40 were as follows: MM (0/20), (0/20), (17/20), (18/20), (19/20), (17/20), for PA (8/10), (0/10), (3/10), (0/10), (0/10), (0/10), and for PSCC (1/10), (10/10), (6/10), (10/10), (0/15), (0/10). The staining pattern for D2-40 was characterized by thick membranous staining. Diffuse cytoplasmic staining by D2-40 was seen in 2 cases of pulmonary carcinoma, counted as negative. Our study showed that in differentiating MM from PA, CK5/6, WT-1, and D2-40 have high specificity and sensitivity for MM. Although calretinin is a sensitive IHC marker for MM, it is not specific since it stained 30% of PA. Conversely, to differentiate between MM and PSCC, p63 and WT-1 are the best available markers. We recommend a panel of CK5/6, p63, D2-40, and WT-1 to differentiate MM from pulmonary carcinomas in effusion cytology specimens. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006; 34:801,806. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Pancreatic mucinous lesions: A retrospective analysis with cytohistological correlation

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 11 2006
Jing Zhai M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract The diagnosis of mucinous pancreatic lesions, which include mucinous noncystic adenocarcinoma, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), and mucinous metaplasia, is critical, given different clinical management and prognosis. This retrospective study is done to assess the cytological features and pitfalls associated with these entities in cytological samples. A search for pancreatic cytology specimens with histological confirmation of the various pancreatic mucinous lesions was done from 1988 to 2005: 9 mucinous adenocarcinoma, 14 IPMN, 11 MCN, and 3 mucinous metaplasia. The majority (35/37) had been endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirations. The cellularity, background extracellular mucin, epithelial architecture, mucinous nature of the epithelium, cell shape, and nuclear features were evaluated on the cytology material. Of the 22 cytological features evaluated, the presence of three-dimensional clusters, micropapillary structures, and nuclear atypia, which includes nuclear crowding, increased N/C ratio, anisonucleosis, nuclear membrane contour irregularity, clumpy chromatin, and prominent nucleoli, was found to be consistently associated with mucinous adenocarcinoma. There were no statistically significant cytological features, which helped in differentiating IPMN, MCN, and mucinous metaplasia. There was a relatively high false-positive rate in the IPMN group (5/14, 36%). Review of the histological specimen showed severe dysplastic epithelial change in these cases. One false-positive case of mucinous metaplasia (1/3, 33%) showed marked intraepithelial acute inflammation. The cytological diagnosis of mucinous pancreatic lesions remains challenging, except for mucinous noncystic adenocarcinoma. The findings were largely nonspecific in the differentiation between IPMN, MCN, mucinous metaplasia, and incidentally sampled gastrointestinal epithelium. False-positive diagnosis of adenocarcinoma occurs not infrequently in the setting of IPMN with severe dysplastic epithelial change and in lesions with associated acute inflammation, and can be a pitfall in the diagnosis of these lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34: 724,730. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Cytologic diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration: A review

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 9 2006
Fuju Chang M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract Precise localization and diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) is important, because pancreatic PETs have different clinical and biological behavior and treatment modalities than do exocrine pancreatic tumors. In contrast to the much more common exocrine adenocarcinomas, cytologic studies of PET are relatively rare and many cytopathologists lack experience with the cytomorphologic features of these tumors. During the last 10 yr, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has matured into an accurate, highly sensitive, and cost-effective modality for the preoperative localization of pancreatic PETs. This has resulted in an increased number of PETs first sampled as cytology specimens. This manuscript focuses on the cytomorphologic features most suggestive of pancreatic PETs, differential diagnosis, and diagnostic pitfalls of PETs. The technical development of EUS-guided FNA and the ancillary studies for pancreatic PETs are also reviewed. The data summarized in this review indicate that EUS-FNA is a valuable method in the recognition of pancreatic PETs and in most cases cytopathologists could reach a correct diagnosis of these tumors, including their hormone producing capability on aspirated cytologic material. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:649,658. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Testing automated liquid-based cytology samples with a manual liquid-based cytology method using residual cell suspensions from 500 ThinPrep cases

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2006
John A. Maksem M.D.
Abstract We report a technical improvement upon a previously disclosed manual liquid-based cytology (MLBC) method; and, we use the improved method to prepare slides from residual ThinPrep specimens in order to see how often ThinPrep diagnoses correspond to diagnoses derived from exhaustive examination of their parent sample suspensions. Residual cell suspensions from 500 ThinPrep cases comprising (1) 20 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs); (2) 200 high risk (HR) negatives and 20 ASC-US; and (3) 260 screening cytology specimens were studied. Institutional review committee guidelines allowed us to know diagnoses by groups of specimens, but did not allow us to know individual patient diagnoses, so we could not perform case-by-case matched outcome-comparisons. Cells were concentrated by conventional centrifugation and sedimented into a polymer gel that was then vortex-mixed and converted into a viscous cell-rich suspension. The cell suspension was smeared between two clean glass slides, which were air-dried and stained with the Papanicolaou stain. Two study-sets were created, comprising one slide from each case. Each of the two study sets was examined by two cytopathologists, and discordant diagnoses were adjudicated. Because of the ambiguity involved in the "atypical" (ASC-US, ASC-H, AGC) diagnosis categories, only outcomes at the level of LSIL or greater were recorded. All MLBC SILs were digitally imaged and abnormal slides plus digital images were sent to the laboratory that provided the residual automated liquid-based cytology (ALBC) suspensions. The final diagnoses were confirmed by the laboratory that provided the residual ALBC specimens. MLBC slides of the 20 LSIL cases afforded 2 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) and 18 LSILs. Those of the 200 HR-Negatives showed 3 HSILs and 30 LSILs; and those of the 20 HR-ASC-US showed 3 HSILs and 9 LSILs. MLBC slides of the 260 screening cytology specimens showed 1 Carcinoma, 3 HSILs and 20 LSILs; affording 3 HSILs and 14 LSILs more than originally diagnosed. The MLBC method of this report is useful for preparing cell suspensions for cytological examination. Our analytical method was exhaustive and used nearly all of the cell material that was provided to us for analysis; therefore, we conclude that this approach is useful for determining how well ALBC instruments represent their parent sample suspensions. It appears that "rare events" may be overlooked when limited sample aliquots are analyzed by ALBC instruments, and this probably accounts for our increased discovery of SILs by the MLBC method. Also, SILs often present as aggregates of cohesive cells which, if overlooked or ineffectively transferred to ALBC slides, would not be diagnosed. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:391,396. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Clear-cell adenocarcinoma of the female genital tract: Presence of Hyaline stroma and tigroid background in various types of cytologic specimens

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2005
Surapan Khunamornpong M.D.
Abstract Hyaline basement membrane-like stromal material and tigroid background are distinctive cytologic features observed in Diff-Quik (DQ)- or Giemsa-stained smears of clear-cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) of the female genital tract. However, it is uncertain how often these features are present in different types of cytologic specimens, and which type of preparation is optimal for this diagnosis. We therefore reviewed the cytologic features of CCA in three types of specimens, including 15 scrape cytology specimens, 7 fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens, and 15 peritoneal cytology specimens, with emphasis on the features observed in DQ-stained smears. The cell morphology in scrape cytology specimens and FNA specimens was comparable, whereas in peritoneal cytology specimens, the cytoplasm was better preserved. Most tumor cells had fragile cytoplasm containing variable amounts of fine vacuoles, and round nuclei with distinct or prominent nucleoli. Hyaline stroma was present in 93% of scrape cytology specimens, 71% of FNA specimens, and 80% of peritoneal cytology specimens. Tigroid background was observed in 47% of scrape cytology specimens, 43% of FNA specimens, but in none of the peritoneal cytology specimens. Formation of a tigroid background may be prevented by the abundant fluid content in peritoneal cytology specimens. Hyaline stroma and tigroid background were uncommonly seen in scrape smears from other types of primary ovarian tumors, mainly juvenile granulosa cell tumor and yolk sac tumor. However, the additional presence of papillary structures allows CCA to be readily distinguished from these other tumors. We propose that scrape cytology offers the best approach for the intraoperative cytologic diagnosis of CCA. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;32:336,340.© 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Squamous cell carcinoma of the urachus

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 10 2007
Chisato Fujiyama
Abstract: A 64-year-old man was admitted with complaints of abdominal pain and pollakisuria. A soft mass was palpable under his navel. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 9 × 6 cm tumor, which was composed of a cystic lesion arising from the urachus and a solid mass component at the urinary bladder dome. Urine cytology specimens showed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Serum SCC level was increased and the tumor was removed surgically. Histological examination detected well-differentiated SCC, which had invaded the urinary bladder and the peritoneum. The patient has been followed up without recurrence for 6 months. [source]


Reproducibility of Diagnosis and Its Influence on the Distribution of Lung Cancer by Histologic Type in Osaka, Japan

CANCER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2000
Seiichiro Yamamoto
The histologic types of lung cancer cases diagnosed in 1979,1980 (n=799) and 1987 (n=587) were independently reviewed by two pathologists in order to investigate the reproducibility of the diagnosis of the histologic type when the WHO classification (1981) was used. The specimens from 354 surgical cases and biopsy or cytology specimens from 1032 non-surgical cases were reviewed. The inter-observer agreement was 87.9% (k=0.79) for surgical cases and 81.4% (k=0.72) for non-surgical cases. When compared to the original diagnosis, the agreement was 86.8% (k=0.78) for surgical and 86.4% (k=0.79) for non-surgical cases in 1979,1980 and the agreement was 92.8% (k=0.87) for surgical and 89.1% (k=0.83) for non-surgical cases in 1987. By histologic type, no difference in the agreement was observed except for large cell carcinoma. The distribution of histologic types after the review differed only slightly (less than 6%) from the original distribution. This suggests that in Osaka, Japan, the diagnosis based on the WHO classification (1981) had only a limited influence on the distribution of histologic types, and is not a major reason for the changing trends in lung cancer incidence by histologic type. [source]


Switching from a preserved to a preservative-free prostaglandin preparation in topical glaucoma medication

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 3 2010
Hannu Uusitalo
Abstract. Purpose:, The purpose of this study was to investigate the tolerability and intraocular pressure (IOP) reducing effect of the first preservative-free prostaglandin tafluprost (Taflotan®) in patients exhibiting ocular surface side-effects during latanoprost (Xalatan®) treatment. Methods:, A total of 158 patients were enrolled in this open-label multicentre study. Eligible patients had to have at least two ocular symptoms, or one sign and one symptom, during treatment with latanoprost. At baseline, the patients were directly switched from latanoprost to preservative-free tafluprost for 12 weeks. The patients were queried for ocular symptoms, and ocular signs were assessed by using tear break-up time, Schirmer's test, fluorescein staining and evaluation of conjunctival hyperaemia and blepharitis. In addition, HLA-DR and MUC5AC in conjunctival impression cytology specimens were analyzed, and a drop discomfort/quality of life (QoL) questionnaire was employed. IOP was measured at all visits. Results:, Preservative-free tafluprost maintained IOP at the same level after 12- weeks treatment (16.4 ± 2.7 mmHg) as latanoprost at baseline (16.8 ± 2.5 mmHg). During treatment with preservative-free tafluprost, the number of patients having irritation/burning/stinging (56.3%), itching (46.8%), foreign body sensation (49.4%), tearing (55.1%) and dry eye sensation (64.6%) decreased to 28.4%, 26.5%, 27.1%, 27.1% and 39.4% correspondingly. The number of the patients with abnormal fluorescein staining of cornea (81.6%) and conjunctiva (84.2%), blepharitis (60.1%), conjunctival hyperaemia (84.2%) and abnormal Schirmer's test (71.5%) was also reduced significantly to 40.6%, 43.2%, 40.6%, 60.0% and 59.4% correspondingly. The tear break-up time improved significantly from 4.5 ± 2.5 seconds to 7.8 ± 4.9 seconds. A reduction in the number of patients with abnormal conjunctival cells based on HLA-DR and MUC5AC was also detected. Conclusions:, Preservative-free tafluprost maintained IOP at the same level as latanoprost, but was better tolerated in patients having signs or symptoms while on preserved latanoprost. Preservative-free tafluprost treatment resulted in improved QoL, increased patient satisfaction and drop comfort. [source]


Alterations of the ocular surface epithelial mucins 1, 2, 4 and the tear functions in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 12 2006
M. Dogru
Summary Background An increased understanding of the ocular surface alterations at the cellular level in the conjunctiva and the cornea, may help explain the pathogenesis and the subsequent clinical appearance of atopic ocular allergies, which may be potentially blinding. Purpose To investigate MUC 1, 2 and 4 alterations, tear function and the ocular surface disorder in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Methods Twenty-eight eyes of 14 atopic keratoconjunctivitis patients as well as 22 eyes of 11 age-and sex-matched normal subjects were studied. The subjects underwent corneal sensitivity measurements, Schirmer's test, tear film break-up time (BUT), fluorescein and Rose Bengal staining of the ocular surface, conjunctival impression cytology and brush cytology. Impression cytology samples underwent periodic acid-Schiff and immunohistochemical staining with MUC 1, 2 and 4 antibodies. Brush cytology specimens underwent evaluation for inflammatory cell numbers and quantitative real-time-PCR for MUC 1, 2 and 4 mRNA expression. Patient eyes with fluorescein and Rose Bengal scores greater than four points were regarded to have significant epithelial disease in this study. Results The mean corneal sensitivity and BUT values were significantly lower in atopic patients with significant epithelial disease, compared with patients with insignificant epithelial disease and controls (P<0.01). Brush cytology specimens from patients with significant epithelial disease revealed significantly higher numbers of inflammatory cells (P<0.01). Specimens from patient eyes showed positive staining for MUC 1, 2 and 4. MUC 1, 2 and 4 mRNA expressions were significantly higher in eyes with significant epithelial disease compared with eyes with insignificant epithelial disease and eyes of control subjects. Conclusion Ocular surface inflammation, decline in corneal sensitivity, tear film instability, changes in conjunctival epithelial MUC 1, 2 and 4 mRNA expressions were thought to be important in the pathogenesis of atopic ocular surface disease. [source]