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Updated: Jan 31, 2026
08:20
Cell Block Preparation from Cytology Specimen with Predominance of Individually Scattered Cells
Published on: July 21, 2009
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Manufactured Cell Blocks: Turning Smears into Sections
Alexandra Kang1, Alina Miranda1,2, Bastiaan de Boer3,4
1PathWest Laboratory Medicine, QE2 Medical Centre, Nedlands, Washington, Australia.
Acta Cytologica
|January 7, 2019
Summary
Scraping cell material from cytological smears to create cell blocks is effective for ancillary testing. This method preserves antigens for immunohistochemistry and DNA for molecular studies, aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Cytopathology
- Ancillary Testing
Background:
- Cytological smears are fundamental for cytodiagnosis.
- Limited specimen material often restricts ancillary testing.
- Manufacturing cell blocks from smears offers a solution for obtaining sufficient material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively review the utility of manufactured cell blocks (mCB) created from cytological smears.
- To assess the diagnostic yield and suitability for immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular studies.
- To evaluate the PathWest (QE2) experience with mCB over a 10-year period.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 178 fine-needle aspiration cases with mCB.
- Categorization of cases by specimen site: lymph node, breast, thyroid, soft tissue, liver, and others.
- Review of diagnostic material, IHC, and molecular study results from mCB.
Main Results:
- Diagnostic material was identified in 91.6% of mCB.
- IHC was performed on 149 cases, with 93.3% showing positive staining and 79.9% advancing the diagnosis.
- Molecular studies were feasible in 97.3% of cases with adequate DNA.
Conclusions:
- Cellular material scraped from cytological smears can be successfully manufactured into cell blocks.
- Antigen and DNA integrity are preserved, enabling reliable IHC and molecular analyses.
- Manufactured cell blocks are a valuable source of material for ancillary testing in cytopathology.
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