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Modified Plasma-Thrombin Method of Cell Block Preparation for Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsies in Resource-Limited

Omonigho Aisagbonhi1,2, Abraham Birungi2, Raymond Atwine2

  • 1Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|June 13, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A modified plasma-thrombin method creates cell blocks from fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples without centrifugation. This technique is effective for resource-limited settings, yielding adequate material for diagnosis in 82% of cases.

Area of Science:

  • Anatomic pathology
  • Cytopathology
  • Biomedical engineering

Background:

  • The plasma-thrombin method is standard for preparing cell blocks from fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples.
  • Centrifugation is a required step in the traditional plasma-thrombin method.
  • Resource limitations in some settings hinder the application of standard diagnostic techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a modified plasma-thrombin method for cell block preparation.
  • To eliminate the need for centrifugation in FNA cell block processing.
  • To adapt the method for use in resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

  • Fine-needle aspiration samples were directly rinsed into pooled fresh plasma in 2-mL Eppendorf tubes.
  • Reconstituted thrombin was added and gently mixed to form a cell clot.
  • The cell clot was transferred to a tissue bag, fixed in formalin, and processed for analysis.

Main Results:

  • The modified method was applied to 44 FNA samples.
  • Cell blocks were less cellular than smears but adequate for morphologic review or immunocytochemistry in 36 cases (82% adequacy rate).

Conclusions:

  • The modified plasma-thrombin method is a reliable technique for cell block preparation.
  • The method is easily applicable in resource-limited settings.
  • This approach facilitates diagnostic analysis of FNA samples where advanced equipment is unavailable.

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