Expectations and Projections for the Future of Nongynecolgical Cytology 10 Years Ago: Did They Materialize and How Did We Do?

New Cell Block Method to Enhance the Cellular Yield in Mucous and/or Bloody Samples

OBJECTIVE

Cell blocks (CBs) are used to complement cytological diagnosis and for ancillary testing. Dissatisfaction with the cellular yield of the CB is widely recognized. Various techniques have been developed to increase the diagnostic utility of CBs.

STUDY DESIGN

We invented a new CB technique to increase cellular yield and diagnostic accuracy suitable especially for mucous and/or bloody cytological samples.

RESULTS

The new CB technique is described in detail with illustrations and cases, where it increased the cellular yield and diagnostic accuracy. CBs prepared by this method are suitable also for ancillary techniques, namely immunocytochemistry.

CONCLUSIONS

The newly described method showed a better cellular yield in mucous and/or bloody cytological specimens.

Cell Block in Cytological Diagnostics: Review of Preparatory Techniques

OBJECTIVE

The cell block (CB) technique refers to the processing of sediments, blood clots, or grossly visible tissue fragments from cytological specimens into paraffin blocks that can be cut and stained by the same methods used for histopathology. The technique brings additional tissue architectural information. CB can be used for ancillary techniques such as immunocytochemistry and molecular techniques.

STUDY DESIGN

We reviewed the literature on the various preparatory techniques of CBs.

RESULTS

There is a wide range of preparatory techniques for CBs and no golden standard for CBs exists: tens of methods are used in various institutions. The majority of the methods are modified in house techniques with a few commercially available kits. The techniques most commonly used are the plasma/thrombin method, the agar method, and commercially available Histogel- and Cellient CB-methods. Dissatisfaction with the cellular yield of the CBs is common.

CONCLUSIONS

In the CBs, the cytological material is preserved for future use, which is a tremendous advantage in the era of targeted therapy and biobanking. The CB is thus central to the future of cytology: more can be done with less material and with less invasiveness to the patient.