Cytopathology

LSIL Pap Smear 40x

In a broad sense, cytology refers to the art and science of diagnosing disease through the examination of small tissue samples which consist primarily of individual cells, typically collected by brushing or scraping an epithelial surface or by aspirating a mass or fluid collection.

Some of the more common cytologic specimens include cervical brushings for Pap smears, fine needle aspirations of thyroid nodules, body fluids such as pleural effusions, abdominal ascites, or bladder washings. Cytopathologists also work closely with interventional radiology to provide rapid interpretation of tissue specimens collected during image-guided biopsy procedures to determine if diagnostic tissue is present. When appropriate, cytopathologists themselves can collect tissue samples through performance of fine needle aspiration for superficial lesions. After thoughtful microscopic examination of the specimen, the cytopathologist generates a report detailing the diagnosis and other pertinent findings. This information is vital for clinical diagnosis and treatment planning.

Our faculty are actively involved in a wide range of multidisciplinary research collaborations, with recent publications in the following topics of interest:

Pap Diagnosis of Endocervical Adenocarcinoma in Situ
Prevalence of cervical precancers or cancers in women with ASC-H/HSIL cytology
Significance of Oil-Red-O positive macrophages in diagnosing vaping product use-associated lung injury
Interventional cytopathology
Intraoperative cytopathology for thoracic surgery
Optimising rapid on-site evaluation-assisted endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal lymph nodes
Intraoperative cytology when cryostat is not available
Telecytology for rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE): practical considerations, limitations
Selective deployment of dynamic telecytology for rapid evaluation of cytology smears: assessment of workflow processes and role of cytopathology fellow as on-site operator
Role of cytotechnologists in rapid on-site adequacy assessment of cytology materials for diagnostic workup and specimen allocation for ancillary testing using a standardized protocol
Pelvic Lymphangioleiomyomatosis