Detection of malignancy in cytology specimens using spectral-spatial analysis.

Despite low sensitivity (around 60%), cytomorphologic examination of urine specimens represents the standard procedure in the diagnosis and follow-up of bladder cancer. Although color is information-rich, morphologic diagnoses are rendered almost exclusively on the basis of spatial information. We hypothesized that quantitative assessment of color (more precisely, of spectral properties) using liquid crystal-based spectral fractionation, combined with genetic algorithm-based spatial analysis, can improve the accuracy of traditional cytologic examination.

Novel tyramide-based tyrosinase assay for the detection of melanoma cells in cytological preparations.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has been used as a fast, minimally invasive, and reliable method for the evaluation of enlarged lymph nodes. However, there are some cases where the definitive diagnosis cannot be elicited with morphology alone, especially cases without a known primary lesion. Although immunocytochemical studies may be helpful in some situations, they are often complicated by nonspecific staining.