Performance of Rapid On-Site Evaluation in Breast Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsies: Identifying Areas of Diagnostic Challenge.

Introduction: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a well-established method for sampling breast lesions with high accuracy and positive predictive value. Despite its decline in recent years relative to the use of core needle biopsies, there are several advantages to FNA which include cost-effectiveness, low complication rate, and the ability to perform rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). The aim of this study was to evaluate breast FNAs with ROSE to identify diagnostic challenges during ROSE.

Global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cytopathology practice: Results from an international survey of laboratories in 23 countries.

Background: To the authors' knowledge, the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on cytopathology practices worldwide has not been investigated formally. In the current study, data from 41 respondents from 23 countries were reported.

Methods: Data regarding the activity of each cytopathology laboratory during 4 weeks of COVID-19 lockdown were collected and compared with those obtained during the corresponding period in 2019.

Smears are important for adequate cytologic diagnosis of kidney lesions.

Introduction: Traditionally at our institution, smears with or without liquid-based cytology (LBC) and core biopsies (CBs) have been obtained by radiologists performing image-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) of deep organs. Since 2015, however, there has been a shift to providing cytology with samples for LBC only when obtaining CBs. The impression among our institution's cytologists is that LBC alone is less often adequate for diagnosis compared with smears and LBC together.

A superior method for cell block preparation for fine-needle aspiration biopsies.

Background: Cell block (CB) techniques for fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) vary. A direct comparison of CB techniques with statistical validation was performed to identify the best method.

Methods: Three CB techniques were compared: 1) FNAB rinsed in saline and clotted with plasma and thrombin (SPT); 2) FNAB rinsed in formalin and clotted with HistoGel (HG); and 3) FNAB rinsed in formalin, centrifuged, and the pellet captured in a collodion bag (ColB).

Young investigator challenge: Comparison of 2 different methods of manual slide screening in semiautomated gynecologic cytology.

Background: Negative gynecologic cytology cases (ie, those diagnosed as negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy) are manually reviewed by 2 methods using semiautomated screening: 1) immediate full slide review (FSR) after fields-of-view analysis (FOV) (FOV + FSR), and 2) quality-assurance/high-risk, quintile-directed full manual review (FMR). Data supporting current guidelines were limited. The authors investigated FMR, FOV + FSR, and the review process in general.

Effects on cervical cytology screening productivity associated with implementation of the BD FocalPoint™ Guided Screener Imaging System.

Objectives: Automated screening will become important due to an aging workforce, declining numbers of new cytotechnologists, and the need for increased screening sensitivity in the vaccine era, where high-grade abnormalities will decline. This study documents workload in gynecologic cytology throughput before and after the implementation of the BD FocalPoint™ Guided Screener (GS) System.

Study Design: We collected daily screening data from 3 time periods: the 12 months prior to GS implementation, the 6 months immediately after implementation, and the ensuing 7-18 months after implementation.

Comparison of BD Surepath and ThinPrep Pap systems in the processing of mucus-rich specimens.

Background: Excessive mucus, as well as blood and inflammation, can be problematic in the processing and screening of liquid-based cervical Pap preparations by interfering in the process of cell retrieval onto specimen filters or slides. This study compares the capacity of the BD SurePath and ThinPrep liquid-based Papanicolaou (Pap) tests to handle mucus-laden specimens.

Methods: A 100 μL volume of pooled cervical epithelial cells was added to BD SurePath and ThinPrep liquid Pap test vials.

Comparison of the effectiveness of two liquid-based Papanicolaou systems in the handling of adverse limiting factors, such as excessive blood.

Background: Excessive blood may compromise gynecologic Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. Liquid-based cytologic techniques have been developed in part to address this problem. In the current study, conditions of excessive blood were simulated to compare the ability of two liquid-based systems, ThinPrep and SurePath, to satisfactorily process specimens in the presence of this potentially limiting factor.

Total versus inhalable sampler comparison study for the determination of asphalt fume exposures within the road paving industry.

Exposure to asphalt fumes has a threshold limit value (TLV of 0.5 mg m(-3) (benzene extractable inhalable particulate) as recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). This reflects a recent change (2000) whereby two variables are different from the previous recommendation.