Competency assessment and proficiency testing.

Competency assessment is an ongoing, continuous process of monitoring individuals' abilities to perform their specific job functions. A variety of methods are useful in monitoring cytology competency, including rescreening studies, descriptive monitors (abnormality rates), discrepancy rates, workload patterns, competency-based educational programs and programs using unknown slide challenges. The goal of proficiency testing (PT) is to ascertain and assess the ability of individuals beyond the particular items or challenges presented.

Computerized training and proficiency testing. International Academy of Cytology Task Force summary. Diagnostic Cytology Towards the 21st Century: An International Expert Conference and Tutorial.

Issues: Computerized technologies probably will revolutionize the field of gynecologic cytology in the next century. Such technologies will be useful in both training and evaluating proficiency. However, manual screening/review of gynecologic cytology preparations is the current "gold standard" for both training and assessment of proficiency.

Medicolegal affairs. International Academy of Cytology Task Force summary. Diagnostic Cytology Towards the 21st Century: An International Expert Conference and Tutorial.

Issues: Increasing litigation over alleged false negative cervical cytologic (CC) smears threatens the viability of this test for cervical cancer detection. The problem appears to be largely American but is beginning to appear in some other countries. In the vast majority of cases there is either a settlement or jury verdict for the plaintiff based largely on the testimony of expert witnesses.

Transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy in inflammatory pseudotumors of the lung.

The cytologic findings on transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy in four patients with pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor are described. These findings have not been previously illustrated in the literature. The main cytologic components of this lesion are histiocytes, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, pneumocytes, and plasma cells.

Glassy-cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Cytopathologic and histopathologic study of five cases.

The cytopathologic and histopathologic findings are presented for five cases of glassy-cell carcinoma. The cytology was characterized by tumor cells arranged predominantly in syncytial-like aggregates. The cells had moderate amounts of amphophilic cytoplasm, which was often finely granular.