Comparative evaluation of diagnostic cytological features of malignancy in GMA sections, paraffin sections and smears

A quantitative evaluation of glycol methacrylate (GMA) embedded sections in the cytological assessment of body fluids is reported for the first time. The technique is compared with routine smears, filter preparations and paraffin sections of cell blocks. Diagnostic problems were encountered mainly in the assessment of reactive mesothelial cells and lymphoreticular cells. Diagnostic accuracy was highly dependent on technique of cell preparation, and the GMA sections were a useful supplementary technique in cases where there were difficulties of interpretation. The method offers the advantage of improved sampling by using a concentrated cell block technique and high resolution of cellular detail essential for accurate cytological diagnosis.