Chonnam Med J.  2006 Apr;42(1):1-7.

Morphological and Immunocytochemical Study of ThinPrep Specimens in Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology

• Chung JH
• Park CS

Abstract

To improve the cytological morphology of the ThinPrep (TP) smears in fine needle aspiration, we developed a modified preservative. The modified TP preservative is composed of ethanol, instead of methanol, and a buffered preservative solution (new solution-TP) for the hemolysis of red blood cells. In addition, a standardized protocol for immunocytochemical staining of the TP smears from fine needle aspiration was developed. Sixty-four surgical specimens were used for the study. TP slides prepared by CytoLyt solution were compared with those prepared by the new solution-TP for cytomorphology. The new solution-TP smears revealed more abundant cytoplasm and better-preserved cellular membrane and architecture compared with CytoLyt solution-TP smears. Protease and microwave pretreatment could be applied to the new solution-TP slides for cytoplasmic and nuclear antigen retrieval, as well. The use of the new solution and the appropriate immunocytochemical method may improve cytologic diagnosis ensuring accurate prognosis of the TP smears from fine needle aspiration.

Keyword

Fine needle aspiration; Ethanol; ThinPrep; Morphology; Immunocytochemistry

MeSH Terms

Biopsy, Fine-Needle*
Cytoplasm
Diagnosis
Erythrocytes
Ethanol
Hemolysis
Immunohistochemistry
Membranes
Methanol
Microwaves
Prognosis
Ethanol
Methanol