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Updated: Aug 30, 2026
A Non-invasive Way to Isolate and Phenotype Cells from the Conjunctiva
Published on: July 5, 2017
Detection by impression cytologic analysis of conjunctival intraepithelial invasion from eyelid sebaceous cell
Yu Sawada1, Jeffrey L Fischer, Alan M Verm
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Minnesota, 516 Delaware Street SE, 9th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Objective:
To demonstrate that conjunctival impression cytologic analysis can detect conjunctival intraepithelial invasion from sebaceous cell carcinoma of the eyelid.
Design:
Observational case series with cytopathologic correlation.
Participants:
Four patients with unilateral blepharoconjunctivitis and biopsy-proven sebaceous cell carcinoma.
Methods:
Impression cytologic analysis specimens were taken from the suspicious area of the bulbar conjunctiva of each patient. Staining of the specimens was performed with a modified Papanicolaou stain.
Main Outcome Measure:
Observation of the abnormal tumor cells in the collected specimens by bright field microscope.
Results:
The technique of impression cytologic analysis allowed collection and identification of abnormal tumor cells with characteristic cytoplasmic vacuoles.
Conclusions:
Conjunctival impression cytologic analysis successfully detected the ocular surface sebaceous carcinoma cells from the eyelid. However, full-thickness biopsies are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Judicious use of impression cytologic analysis may facilitate the detection and diagnosis of this invasive tumor.
