Introducing a Software-Based Template for Standardized Structured Reports of Urinary Cytology and Its Impact on Turnaround Time in a Tertiary Center.

Introduction: Standardized pathology reports enhance completeness and readability, contributing to the overall improvement in the management of patients. The standardization of urine cytology reporting has gained widespread acceptance with the use of the Paris system (TPS) for reporting urinary cytology, primarily focused on detecting high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC). The next phase at the Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, was the implementation of TPS, including standardized additional findings on non-neoplastic changes, into a software-based standardized structured reporting (SBSSR) system.

Integrated On-Slide Positive Controls for Immunocytochemistry on Cytology Slides.

Introduction: Integrated on-slide positive controls are a standard quality assurance and quality control measure for immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections. They ensure identical analytical conditions for the control and patient samples. Our aim was to develop a procedure for preparing integrated on-slide positive controls for immunocytochemistry (ICC) on methanol-fixed cytospins.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsies in diagnosing pancreatic neoplasms in the paediatric population: experience from a tertiary center and review of the literature.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (EUS FNAB) is a well established diagnostic method in adult patients, but is rarely used in the paediatric population. The Clinical Department of Gastroenterology at the University Clinical Centre Ljubljana and the Department of Cytopathology at the Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, have been closely collaborating on EUS FNAB since the introduction in 2010. The aim of the study was to review the cases of EUS FNAB of pancreatic neoplasms in children.

Cell block practices in European cytopathology laboratories.

Background: There are numerous methods and procedures described for the preparation of cell blocks (CBs) from cytological samples. The objective of this study was to determine current practices and issues with CBs in European laboratories.

Methods: A link to an online survey, with 11 questions about CB practices, was distributed to cytology laboratories via participants of United Kingdom National External Quality Assurance Service for Cellular Pathology Techniques and national representatives in the European Federation of Cytology Societies.

Inter- and intraobserver agreement in whole-slide digital ThinPrep samples of low-grade squamous lesions of the cervix uteri with known high-risk HPV status: A multicentric international study.

Background: High-risk human papilloma virus (HR HPV) testing and liquid-based cytology are used for primary cervical screening. Digital cytology, based on whole-slide scanned samples, is a promising technique for teaching and diagnostic purposes. The aim of our study was to evaluate the interobserver and intraobserver variation in low-grade squamous lesions, HR HPV status bias, and the use of whole-slide scanned digital cervical cytology slides.

Optimization of pre-analytical and analytical steps for DNA and RNA analysis of fresh cytology samples.

Background: Different cytology preparations can be used for molecular diagnostics, however the influence of pre-analytical and analytical steps on the results are not yet well defined. We aimed to determine optimal steps for efficient extraction of DNA and RNA from fresh cells for molecular diagnostics.

Methods: MCF7 and FaDu human cell lines, were used as a model to determine fresh cells storage conditions (temperature: 25°C, 4°C, -20°C, -80°C; duration: 0 h, 4 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h) and optimal nucleic acids extraction method.

Pheochromocytoma presenting as a pancreatic mass: Avoiding a dangerous pitfall in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy using GATA3 immunostain.

Pheochromocytomas and sympathetic paragangliomas are rare tumours arising from chromaffin cells, producing catecholamines in various amounts. Fatal hypertensive episodes may occur perioperatively, which are preventable by alpha adrenergic receptor blockers. The perioperative mortality rate of diagnosed versus undiagnosed catecholamine-producing tumours is significant, considering that only a minority of tumours develop metastasis.

Qualitative and Quantitative Diagnosis in Head and Neck Cancer.

The diagnosis is the art of determining the nature of a disease, and an accurate diagnosis is the true cornerstone on which rational treatment should be built. Within the workflow in the management of head and neck tumours, there are different types of diagnosis. The purpose of this work is to point out the differences and the aims of the different types of diagnoses and to highlight their importance in the management of patients with head and neck tumours.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on organised cervical cancer screening: The first results of the Slovenian cervical screening programme and registry.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic threatens the impact of cervical cancer screening and global cervical cancer elimination goals. As cervical cancer screening programmes were adjusting to the new situation, we evaluated the intensity, quality, and outcomes of cervical cancer screening in Slovenia in the first seven months of the pandemic.

Methods: Historical observational study on data from a population-based cervical cancer screening registry.

Stratified Mucin-Producing Intraepithelial Lesion (SMILE) of the Uterine Cervix: High-Risk HPV Genotype Predominance and p40 Immunophenotype.

Stratified mucin-producing intraepithelial lesion (SMILE) is a rare high-grade cervical precancerous lesion designated a variant of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) in the WHO classification. We aimed to determine HPV genotypes, immunohistochemical phenotype and mucin presence in SMILE. Between 2010 and 2018, SMILE was diagnosed in 34 out of 6958 (0.

Time-related changes in cell morphology and biomarker immunoreactivity for cells stored in a buffer-based cell medium.

Objective: Buffer-based cell media (BBCM) are a valuable tool in the post-collection processing of cytology samples, though with poorly defined effects on cell properties. In this study, time-related changes in cell morphology and biomarker immunoreactivity were evaluated for cells stored at room temperature in a BBCM prepared with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA).

Methods: Cytospins were prepared at five consecutive 24-hour intervals (0, 24, 48, 72, 96) from three human cell lines (MCF7, SK-MEL-28, FaDu) suspended and stored in BBCM.

Preservation of biomarkers immunoreactivity on cytospins protected with polyethylene glycol.

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the preservation of biomarkers immunoreactivity on cytospins protected with polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Methods: In two independent cytopathology laboratories, immunocytochemical reactions were retrospectively evaluated on methanol-fixed and PEG-protected cytospins stored at room temperature (RT) for different time periods and compared with immunocytochemical reactions on corresponding baseline methanol-fixed cytospins. Semi-quantitatively assessed immunoreactivity, using scores from 0 to 3, was considered reduced if two sequential scores were lowered by at least one point.

A novel combined animal tissue model for freehand and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy and smear preparation techniques training.

Objective: A variety of models are used for fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and smear preparation techniques training: human, animal and silicon models or combined models. We present fresh animal tissues as models for freehand and ultrasound (US)-guided FNAB technique training, enabling an integrated approach from tumour detection to smear evaluation.

Methods: We introduced a novel combined animal tissue model using dietary animal meat with covering skin as a substrate.

Erythroblastic sarcoma presenting as a unilateral pleural effusion in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm-Case report with cytologic and histologic findings.

Erythroblastic sarcoma (ES) is an extremely rare extramedullary solid tumor of immature erythroid cells, with around a dozen human cases to our knowledge presented so far in the english literature, none of the cases presenting as pleural effusion. Here we describe a case of ES in a thoracic wall diagnosed by cytological examination of pleural effusion with histologic correlation in a 53-year-old patient with a 10-month history of myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm with grade III reticulin myelofibrosis.

Immunocytochemistry practices in European cytopathology laboratories-Review of European Federation of Cytology Societies (EFCS) online survey results with best practice recommendations.

Background: Variability in preanalytical and analytical steps for immunocytochemistry (ICC) on cytology samples is poorly defined. The objective of this study was to evaluate current practices for ICC on cytology samples in European laboratories.

Methods: A link to an online survey with 19 questions about ICC practices was distributed to cytology laboratories through national representatives in the European Federation of Cytology Societies.

Histomorphologic assessment and distribution of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types in cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions with unusual histomorphologic features.

In rare cases, equivocal histomorphology ('deceiving dysplasia') does not allow immediate diagnosis of cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). We studied whether these cases are correlated with specific high-risk human papillomavirus (hr HPV) types. During 2011-2017, 39 cases of p16-positive cervical tissue biopsies with unusual ('deceiving') dysplastic histomorphology were identified and matched with the same number of controls (typical HSIL samples).

Dose-Modifying Factor of Radiation Therapy with Concurrent Cisplatin Treatment in HPV-Positive Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Preclinical Study.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important etiological factor in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Compared to HPV-negative tumors, HPV-positive oropharyngeal SCC has shown a better response to nonsurgical treatments. In this study, we determined the dose-modifying factors for HPV-positive tumors with single-dose irradiation, with or without low radiosensitizing doses of cisplatin.

Use of vimentin immunocytochemical staining for evaluation of atypical cells in voided urine samples.

Background: Cytomorphology of exfoliated atypical reactive/repair renal tubular cells (RRTC) can resemble atypical urothelial cells thus suggesting a differential diagnostic question of urothelial neoplasia in urinary cytology. Vimentin expression has been shown in RRTC and used for differentiation from atypical urothelial cells.

Methods: The institutional computer database was searched for urinary cytology cases with vimentin immunocytochemical staining (2008-2012).

Symptoms and signs of ocular surface disease related to topical medication in patients with glaucoma.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess signs and symptoms of ocular surface disease (OSD) and the cytomorphological changes of ocular surface in glaucoma patients using preserved antiglaucoma drops.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 109 participants (79 patients with topical medication and 30 untreated controls) completed the Ocular Surface Diseases Index (OSDI) questionnaire and underwent an ophthalmic examination, including Schirmer test, tear film breakup time (TBUT), and fluorescein staining. Conjunctival specimens were collected by impression cytology and analyzed by light microscopy using Nelson's grading scheme (grades 0-3).

Microinvasive cervical squamous cell carcinoma in Slovenia during the period 2001-2007.

Background: Microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma (MISCC) comprises a significant portion of all cervical cancers in Slovenia. Criteria of carcinomatous invasion are well described in the literature, however histopathological assessment of MISCC is difficult, because morphological characteristics can overlap with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN 3) and other pathological changes. The aim of our study was to evaluate the reliability of the histopathological diagnosis of MISCC in Slovenia during the period from 2001 to 2007.

Thyroid-like follicular carcinoma of the kidney in a patient with nephrolithiasis and polycystic kidney disease: a case report.

Unlabelled: Thyroid-like follicular carcinoma of the kidney (TLFC), a rare neoplasm with low malignant potential, is histologically similar to primary thyroid follicular carcinoma, but characteristically lacks thyroid immunohistochemical markers. We report a case of 34-year old patient with nephrolithiasis. Ultrasound revealed hepatorenal cysts consistent with adult type polycystic kidney disease (ATPKD) and a cytologically confirmed left kidney tumor.

Vegetable cells in urinary samples of patients with bricker ileal conduit.

During routine cytopathological evaluation of urines for malignant cells we have occasionally noticed vegetable cells that were only present in patients with Bricker ileal conduit. We wanted to identify the means and sources of contamination of urinary samples from these patients. During the period between May and November 2010, 637 urinary samples were routinely evaluated for malignant cells.

Typing of renal tumors by morphological and immunocytochemical evaluation of fine needle aspirates.

Image-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of renal masses can accurately evaluate malignancy. Adjunct methods are needed for accurate typing of renal cell carcinomas (RCC) and benign neoplasms. Cytopathological diagnoses of 79 routine ultrasound-guided FNAB of renal lesions were compared to consequent histological diagnosis and size of tumors.

Image cytometric nuclear texture features in inoperable head and neck cancer: a pilot study.

Background: Image cytometry can measure numerous nuclear features which could be considered a surrogate end-point marker of molecular genetic changes in a nucleus. The aim of the study was to analyze image cytometric nuclear features in paired samples of primary tumor and neck metastasis in patients with inoperable carcinoma of the head and neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS.

Urine and bladder washing cytology for detection of urothelial carcinoma: standard test with new possibilities.

Background: Light microscopic evaluation of cell morphology in preparations from urine or bladder washing containing exfoliated cells is a standard and primary method for the detection of bladder cancer and also malignancy from other parts of the urinary tract. The cytopathologic examination is a valuable method to detect an early recurrence of malignancy or new primary carcinoma during the follow-up of patients after the treatment of bladder cancer.

Conclusions: Characteristic cellular and nuclear signs of malignancy indicate invasive or in situ urothelial carcinoma or high-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma.