Cytomorphological Study of Fluid Aspirates: Comparison between Conventional Cytology Smears and Cell Blocks

Abstract

Introduction: Conventional cytology smear method and cell block method are two important methods used for cytological diagnosis. Limitations of conventional smears have to be dealt with daily while reporting cytology. Despite the many advantages of the cell block method, it has been an underestimated diagnostic tool. The purpose of this study is to compare conventional smears and cell block preparations with different parameters and find out which one is more effective in evaluating body fluids. Materials and Methods: Sixty body fluids were studied by the conventional smear method and cell block method. Data were tabulated and analyzed. Results: The cell block method showed a significant increase in cellularity (83.3%) compared to the conventional method (50%) [P = 0.0001, significant]. The limitation of low cellularity was significantly reduced by the cell block method (8.3%) as compared to conventional smears (33.3%) [P = 0.0007, significant]. Morphology preservation was significantly more by cell block method (95%) versus conventional smears (60%) [P = 0.00001, significant]. The yield of malignancy increased by 3.33% in the present study. Suspicious cases on conventional smears could be confidently segregated as malignant or benign by the cell block method. Conclusion: The cell block technique should be routinely used along with conventional smears to improve diagnostic accuracy and resolve diagnostic dilemmas on conventional smears.

Keywords

• a cell block
• conventional smears
• effusion fluids