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Updated: May 14, 2026

Impression Cytology of the Lid Wiper Area
Published on: August 9, 2016
Are unstained smears, effective tools in the evaluation of the cytological sample adequacy?
Hemalatha A L1, Umarani M K, Asha U
1Professor and HOD, Department of Pathology, Mysore Medical College & Research Institute , Karnataka, India.
Background:
Cytologists are often under time pressure due to a constant need and a demand for quick despatch of reports, which calls for an early assessment of sample adequacy.
Objective:
To study whether unstained smears are effective in evaluation of sample adequacy of cytology aspirates.
Materials And Methods:
The study had 3 groups. Assessment of sample adequacy of cytology aspirates was done on unstained smears in Group I (200 cases), Group II (100 cases out of Group I) and Group III ( 80 cases out of Group II ) by a Professor, Assistant Professor and a junior resident respectively. The results were compared with assessment of adequacy on stained smears and statistical analysis was done.
Results:
Evaluation of adequacy of cytology aspirates by examination of unstained and stained smears by 3 observers of varied experience revealed no significant difference between the observers and between the stained and unstained smears (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
Unstained smear study offered advantages over the stained smears in the evaluation of sample adequacy. Hence, it maybe recommended as a routine practice in cytology clinics.
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