CYTOLOGY (CYTOPATHOLOGY, NON-GYN)

ALL CYTOPATHOLOGY SPECIMENS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH A PRINTED COPY OF THE ORDER

LAB13

Fluid Specimens:  Cytologic evaluation of thin preps and possible cell block preparations as indicated. 
CSF Specimens: Cytology evaluation of CSF cytospin preparation.
Vitreous Specimens: Thin prep and possible cell block preparations as indicated.
Nipple Discharge: Cytologic evaluation of smears prepared from nipple discharge.
Brushings: Cytologic evaluation of thin prep and possible cell block preparations as indicated.
Bronchial washings/ Bronchial Lavages: Cytologic evaluation of thin prep, and possible cell block preparation as indicated.
Pneumocystis & Fungi: Cytologic evaluation, special stain for pneumocystis, and fungi on respiratory tract material
Anal paps:  Cytologic evaluation of thin preps

Fluid, CSF Specimens, Brushings, Sputum, Bronchial Washings/Bronchial Lavages or Pnumocystis & Fungi: CytoLyt Fixative Collection Cup or sterile cup 
Vitreous Specimens: Entire specimen, fresh if concern for lymphoma. On call pathology resident should be paged.
Nipple Discharge: Nipple discharge on slide
Anal pap: CytoLyt fixative collection cup

 

Fluid: Entire specimen
CSF: no minimum, 2 mL preferred
Nipple discharge: 1 smear
Bronchial Washing/ Bronchial Lavages: entire specimen
Anal pap: no minimum, submitted in CytoLyt

Fluids: Pleural, Pericardial, Peritoneal, Ascites, Cul-De-Sac Fluid, Cyst fluid, Synovial Fluid and Pelvic Washing
Vitreous Specimens: conjunctival scrapings, aqueous, vitreous
Brushings: Bronchial, Esophageal, Gastric, Intestinal, Biliary Tract, Pancreatic, Colonic, and Urinary Tract Brushings

Nipple Discharge: Ensure smears are dry before placing them in a cardboard slide holder. Slides must be labeled with two identifiers (ie, name and medical record number).
Brushings: Submit the brush without the plastic covering in Cytolyt Fixative.
Sputum: A deep cough specimen or induced specimen.
Bronchial Washings/ Bronchial Lavages: Unfixed specimen necessary for special stain Oil Red O.
Anal pap: An anal-rectal cytology (ARC) specimen is collected using a moist cotton swab. Insert and slowly rotate the swab in one direction with gentle pressure on the walls as the swab is slowly being withdrawn. Care should be taken to ensure that the transition zone is sampled. Vigorously rotate the swab in the CytoLyt solution 10 times while pushing against the wall of the vial. Swirl the swab vigorously to release additional material. Discard the swab.

 


 

Ambient

Fluid, CSF, Vitreous Specimens, Brushings, Sputums, and Bronchial Washings/ Bronchial Lavages: Unfixed specimen will degenerate. Stable if collected in CytoLyt fixative collection.
Nipple Discharge Air Dried Smear
Pneumocystis & Fungi: Ambient: Unstable. Specimen will degenerate if not transported in CytoLyt fixative collection cup
Anal pap: Stable if collected in CytoLyt fixative. 
 

Fluid, CSF, Sputum, Bronchial Washings/Bronchial Lavages or Pneumocystis & Fungi: Unlabeled specimens
Nipple Discharge: Irreparable, broken slides. Unlabeled/improperly labeled specimens or slides.
Brushings: Dry brush or inadequately preserved specimen. Inadequately labeled specimen container

Monday-Friday
Holidays excluded