Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Detection of Extravascular Trypanosoma Parasites by Fine Needle Aspiration
Published on: August 7, 2019
Diagnostic efficacy of immunocytochemistry on fine needle aspiration biopsies processed by thin-layer cytology
Guido Fadda1, Esther Diana Rossi, Antonino Mulè
1Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. guidofadda@rm.unicatt.it
Insights
Immunocytochemistry (ICC) on thin-layer cytology (TLC) slides improves fine needle aspiration biopsy diagnoses. This method offers better diagnostic yield compared to conventional smears, aiding accurate pathology results.
Area of Science:
- Cytopathology
- Oncology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Conventional smears (CSs) and thin-layer cytology (TLC) are methods for preparing cytologic samples.
- Immunocytochemistry (ICC) is a technique used to detect specific antigens in cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of immunocytochemistry (ICC) when performed on samples prepared using thin-layer cytology (TLC).
Main Methods:
- 3,573 fine needle aspiration biopsies were processed using both CSs and TLC.
- ICC staining was exclusively performed on TLC slides.
- Cytologic diagnoses were compared with histologic controls where available.
Main Results:
- ICC contributed to the diagnosis in 92% of cases (104 out of 113).
- Cytologic diagnoses were histologically confirmed in 92% of cases (46 out of 50).
- ICC on TLC showed better diagnostic yield than on CSs.
Conclusions:
- Immunocytochemistry is effective on thin-layer cytology slides.
- This approach enhances the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsies.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of immunocytochemistry (ICC) performed on smears processed by thin-layer cytology (TLC).
Study Design:
During the period January 2001-September 2003, 3,573 consecutive fine needle aspiration biopsies were processed with both conventional smears (CSs) and TLC diagnosed by a single pathologist; 113 required immunocytochemical study. CSs were fixed in ethanol whereas TLC slides were processed with the ThinPrep 2000 method (Cytyc Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, U.S.A); both were stained with Papanicolaou stain. ICC staining was carried out on only TLC slides.
Results:
The 113 cytologic cases were grouped as follows: 32 thyroid nodules with 16 histologic controls (HCs), 24 lymph nodes (regardless of location) with 15 HCs, 18 liver and pancreatic lesions (3 HCs), 11 lung nodules (6 HCs), 5 kidney and adrenal gland lesions (1 HC), 6 abdominal (2 HCs) and 4 mediastinal masses (1 HC), 6 salivary gland tumors (3 HCs), 4 bone masses (2 HCs) and 3 subcutaneous lesions (1 HC). ICC contributed to the diagnosis in 104 cases (92%), whereas it was inconclusive in 9. The cytologic diagnoses were histologically confirmed in 46 of 50 cases (92%).
Conclusion:
ICC can be successfully applied on TLC slides with better results than on CSs, and its yield can be useful in making the correct diagnosis on fine needle aspiration biopsy.
