Abstract
AIMS: To provide cytospins as a means of external quality assurance (EQA), while maintaining antigen expression integrity and achieving uniformity of material for all participating laboratories. METHODS: Cells were collected from two adenocarcinoma and one reactive pleural effusion specimens. Lymphoid cells were also collected through aspiration of a resected tonsil specimen. All cells were collected in Hanks balanced salt solution (HBSS); cytospins were made and fixed in methanol or acetone alone or protected using a layer of 10% polyethylene glycol (PEG) in 50% methanol. Two laboratories participated (RGHT and UCL). RESULTS: Cytokeratin expression detected using either CAM5.2 or AE1/AE3 antibodies was sensitive to temperature. Without PEG, unacceptable or negative staining was seen within six weeks of preparation. LCA was not sensitive to temperature, with good staining scores being achieved after eight weeks following preparation. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to send alcohol fixed, air dried cytospins to laboratories participating as part of an EQA scheme for immunocytology. Some antigens will require protection from temperature variations during transit. A layer of 10% PEG in 50% methanol, allowed to air dry, is suitable for this purpose. Participating laboratories will only have to remove this layer using methanol before their localisation technique for assessment.
Full text
PDF
Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Hanson C. A. Fine-needle aspiration and immunophenotyping. A role in diagnostic hematopathology? Am J Clin Pathol. 1994 May;101(5):555–556. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/101.5.555. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kuenen-Boumeester V., van Loenen P., de Bruijn E. M., Henzen-Logmans S. C. Quality control of immunocytochemical staining of effusions using a standardized method of cell processing. Acta Cytol. 1996 May-Jun;40(3):475–479. doi: 10.1159/000333902. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mayall F., Chang B., Darlington A. A review of 50 consecutive cytology cell block preparations in a large general hospital. J Clin Pathol. 1997 Dec;50(12):985–990. doi: 10.1136/jcp.50.12.985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Zito F. A., Gadaleta C. D., Salvatore C., Filotico R., Labriola A., Marzullo A., Prete F., Marzullo F. A modified cell block technique for fine needle aspiration cytology. Acta Cytol. 1995 Jan-Feb;39(1):93–99. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]