Specimen Collection
Non-GYN Cytology
All specimens designated for Cytology should be sent either as a “fresh” specimen or preferably placed in Cytolyt solution, a preservative. However, if part of a submitted specimen is intended for a culture, then it must be sent as a “fresh” specimen. Preferably, part of it can be sent fresh and part in a preservative for cytology; make sure to label each container. Specimens that might encounter this issue include urine, breast and respiratory specimens but not to the exclusion of others.
There are two basic ways in which Cytolyt solution can be utilized for specimen collection:
The first method is to expel the contents of the syringe, from the FNA onto one slide, then using another slide, press the two together and draw the slides apart in opposite directions, thereby smearing the sample across both slides. This will make two “sister” slides. Quickly place the slides into 95% alcohol (the red top containers) or spray fix. Use of 95% alcohol containers is the preferred method.
The second method has two parts:
A. First make slides by smearing the contents from a FNA onto one slide, then using another slide, press to two together and draw the slides apart in opposite directions, thereby smearing the sample across both slides. This will make two “sister” slides. Quickly place the slides into 95% alcohol (the “red top” containers) or spray fix. Use of the 95% alcohol containers is the preferred method.
B. Secondly, wash the needle in the Cytolyt solution to transfer any additional specimen for later preparation via the ThinPrep process (see number 1 for a more in depth explanation).
Air-Dried Slides: Certain specimens designated for Cytology often will have both alcohol fixed and air-dried slides for processing. This can be of great benefit for Thyroid and Breast Cytology. Usually, when making a slide from an FNA (see 2A) one of the two sister slides will be placed in 95% alcohol and the other slide will be allowed to air-dry and then placed in a cardboard slide holder to transport to the lab. It is important to label the slides in such a way that it is apparent which slides are “sister” slides when more than one group of “sister” slides are prepared (which is very common). For instance, label one group as “1” or “A” and then the second group as “2” or “B.”
Note: Never use formalin for specimens slated for cytology processing. Formalin should only be used for specimens designated for histology.
In addition, if your facility has depleted it’s supply of Cytolyt and “red tops”, a “fresh” specimen can be sent to our facility either within the syringe (for FNAs) or in a specimen cup (such as urine specimens). However, it is important that a “fresh” specimen be kept refrigerated until courier pickup and packed in ice for transport.
Please contact the Cytology Department for any further questions concerning the collection of specimens for cytology at (910) 362-9511.