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. 2021 Jan 30;18:2. doi: 10.25259/Cytojournal_83_2020

Table 6:

Recommended to include standardized optimum cell-block processing (SOCP) details in cytology report (reproduced from Ref. 1). (see also Figure 8).

Every cytology report on cytology specimens with cell-block should have following minimum details communicated in it under gross description section or other designated section such as quality details
This would allow proper decision-making in relation to various quality related aspects when any ancillary tests are performed
Number of cell-blocks prepared with their designation (with any descriptive comments similar that in surgical pathology report): ______
E.g.
A1 (prepared from the clot in fresh unfixed specimen)
A2 (from sediments after lysis of red blood cells with
(mention method with reference if possible), etc.
Specimen collected in
Isotonic media
Saline/RPMI/Hanks balance solution/Isotonic Medium S™[33]/other ______
Non-isotonic media/fixative
10% formalin
Other (not recommended due to potential interference with the results of variety of IHC and molecular test results): CytoLyt/Saccamanno’s fixative/CytoRich Red/other alcohol based or acid based non-formalin reagents
Duration of specimen in the collection medium and temperature
Prior to actual fixation in 10% formalin
Duration: _________Hours/minutes
Temperature: 2–8°C/room temperature /Other _______________
Any processing before making the cell-block (and before final fixation in 10% formalin)
Lysis of red blood cell contamination: With (mention method used)
CytoRich Red®(potential interference with IHC), BloodLyz™[33], other lysing reagent _______
Fixation time in 10% formalin (before start of actual tissue processing)
Duration: ______Hours/minutes