Histologic assessment of equivocal cytologic smears.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the conversion of equivocal cytologic smears into histologic sections would provide additional diagnostic information in those cases in which it was difficult to obtain additional cytologic samples.

STUDY DESIGN

Over a year, eight equivocal cytologic smears were converted to histologic sections by removing the coverslips, rehydrating the smears, scraping off the smears into centrifuge tubes, making cell blocks, and sectioning and staining the blocks.

RESULTS

The histologic sections enabled cell patterns to be studied and special staining (including immunoperoxidase studies) to be performed. In the eight cases studied, the additional information provided by histology led to a definitive diagnosis in six (75%).

CONCLUSION

When cytologic findings are equivocal and it is difficult to obtain additional cytologic samples, conversion of the smears into histologic sections may provide additional information for diagnosis.