Benchmarking cytology support for ROSE during endoscopic and bronchoscopic procedures.

Introduction: There has been an increase in endoscopic and bronchoscopic biopsies as minimally invasive methods to obtain specimens from gastrointestinal (GI) or pancreatobiliary lesions and thoracic or mediastinal lesions, respectively. As hospitals undertake more of these procedures, it is important to consider the staffing implications that this has on cytopathology laboratories with respect to support for rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE).

Materials And Methods: Volume and time data from endoscopic ultrasound and bronchoscopic procedures (including endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspirations and small biopsies with touch preparation) in the GI suite, bronchoscopy suite, or operating room were reviewed for 2 months at 2 different medical centers with ROSE services provided by cytologists or fellows physically present at the procedure and cytopathologists located remotely using telecytology.

Reassessing the optimal volume for malignancy detection in serous fluid cytology.

Background: The international system for reporting serous fluid cytopathology (TIS) recommends submitting at least 50-75 mL of serous fluid to decrease false-negative results. However, prior studies did not agree on specific volume requirements or consensus adequacy criteria. Our study aims to assess whether fluid volume affects the adequacy rate and to assess the minimum volume necessary for optimal adequacy in pleural and peritoneal fluids.

Results from the 2019 American Society of Cytopathology survey on rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE)-part 2: subjective views among the cytopathology community.

Introduction: This study aims to improve understanding of the cytopathology community's perspective regarding the value of rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE) in clinical practice.

Materials And Methods: The American Society of Cytopathology membership was surveyed in 2019 to obtain subjective data on the cytopathology community's perceptions regarding ROSE. Comments were categorized by major themes and attitudes and analyzed by respondent's role in laboratory, practice size, and practice setting (Fisher's exact and χ tests).

Lessons learned from clinical trial queries on small biopsy collections: importance of rapid on-site evaluation.

Introduction: Small biopsies and cytology specimens have become increasingly important for clinical trials and biomarker testing. Thus, institutions must ensure that adequate lesional material meeting the specifications for a multitude of different protocols is available. This can be achieved using rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE).

Cytologic Evaluation of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes for Adoptive Cell Therapy.

Objectives: Novel immunotherapeutic options for refractory metastatic cancer patients include adoptive cell therapies such as tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). This study characterizes the clinicopathologic findings in a cohort of TIL specimens.

Methods: Patients with metastatic malignancy who were eligible had TILs from their metastases grown and expanded and then sent to pathology.

Results from the 2019 American Society of Cytopathology survey on rapid on-site evaluation-Part 1: objective practice patterns.

Introduction: Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) is a service provided by cytologists that helps ensure specimen adequacy and appropriate triage for ancillary testing. However, data on the current usage patterns across different practice settings have been lacking.

Materials And Methods: To obtain an accurate and timely assessment of the current state of practice of ROSE, a 14-question online survey was constructed by the Clinical Practice Committee of the American Society for Cytopathology.

Cell block preparation in urine cytology: examination of utility and workflow in an academic practice.

Introduction: Urine cytology is a common non-invasive test to screen for urothelial carcinoma. Urine cell blocks may sometimes be prepared as a diagnostic aid (eg, to characterize architecture or perform immunohistochemistry). The aim of this study was to determine whether routinely preparing cell blocks on urine specimens improves diagnostic sensitivity.

Telecytology implementation: Deployment of telecytology for rapid on-site evaluations at an Academic Medical Center.

Introduction: There are limited publications that address technical and practical informatics considerations when implementing telecytology for rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). Our aim was to share the experience of deploying telecytology for ROSE at our institution.

Materials And Methods: Key informatics issues relevant to adopting telecytology for ROSE at our institution were appraised including workflow, information technology (IT), validation, training, and quality assurance (QA).

Clinical trial cytology: Use of on-site evaluation of small biopsy and FNA samples for clinical trials and biomarker research studies.

Background: After increased requests for biopsies for clinical trials and biomarker research, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center created a clinical trial research service that partnered pathology, radiology, and medicine to facilitate rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and/or core needle biopsy (CNB) samples to confirm the presence of tumor in these studies.

Methods: Clinical trial coordinators organized biopsies for patients needing tumor samples for trials, and informed the cytopathology and radiology team. ROSE was performed to confirm the presence of sufficient tumor in FNA specimens and/or touch preparations of CNB.

Screening and dotting virtual slides: A new challenge for cytotechnologists.

Digital images are increasingly being used in cytopathology. Whole-slide imaging (WSI) is a digital imaging modality that uses computerized technology to scan and convert entire cytology glass slides into digital images that can be viewed on a digital display using the image viewer software. Digital image acquisition of cytology glass slides has improved significantly over the years due to the use of liquid-based preparations and advances in WSI scanning technology such as automatic multipoint pre-scan focus technology or z-stack scanning technology.