The reporting of cytologic smears. Selected problems with morphologic terms

PROBLEMS ARISE WHEN MORPHOLOGIC TERMINOLOGY FALLS INTO CATEGORIES WHICH: (1) Utilize numbers to replace words and (2) utilize words of such indeterminate meaning that definition depends entirely upon local usage.We should strive to replace any means of diagnosis that does not convey specificity with means capable of precision. The major criterion for the suitability of a diagnostic system is that it is universally understood and is precise enough to result in optimal patient management. Meeting those demands requires the use of nomenclature in cytology that approximates, as far as possible, the actual tissue diagnosis.