9
edits
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
An introduction to cytopathology is in the ''[[cytopathology]]'' article. Cerebrospinal (CSF) specimens are dealt with in a separate article called ''[[CSF cytopathology]]''. | An introduction to cytopathology is in the ''[[cytopathology]]'' article. Cerebrospinal (CSF) specimens are dealt with in a separate article called ''[[CSF cytopathology]]''. | ||
==Technique== | |||
Smears (really squash preps) are common in neuropathology. Here are some tips for getting a good smear: | |||
# Sampling is key -- choose 3-4 small pieces of tissue from different areas of the tissue (if there are different colours, get some of each) | |||
# Keep pieces small (easier to smear) | |||
# Avoid air drying (place into formal alcohol immediately upon smearing) | |||
==Basic approach== | ==Basic approach== | ||
Line 27: | Line 32: | ||
Glial vs non-glial: | Glial vs non-glial: | ||
*Glial has | *Glial has cytoplasmic processes/cytoplasmic strands (stringy processes) ~ 1 micrometer thick. | ||
**They cannot be seen well at low power. | **They cannot be seen well at low power. | ||
**Cotton candy-like appearance. | **Cotton candy-like appearance. | ||
Line 33: | Line 38: | ||
*** [http://www.msdlatinamerica.com/ebooks/DiagnosticNeuropathologySmears/files/cf76aad0d9dab70c99b93186ca8b3ad4.gif Stringy processes - glial tumour (msdlatinamerica.com)].<ref name=latinam>URL: [http://www.msdlatinamerica.com/ebooks/DiagnosticNeuropathologySmears/sid117213.html http://www.msdlatinamerica.com/ebooks/DiagnosticNeuropathologySmears/sid117213.html]. Accessed on: 2 November 2010.</ref> | *** [http://www.msdlatinamerica.com/ebooks/DiagnosticNeuropathologySmears/files/cf76aad0d9dab70c99b93186ca8b3ad4.gif Stringy processes - glial tumour (msdlatinamerica.com)].<ref name=latinam>URL: [http://www.msdlatinamerica.com/ebooks/DiagnosticNeuropathologySmears/sid117213.html http://www.msdlatinamerica.com/ebooks/DiagnosticNeuropathologySmears/sid117213.html]. Accessed on: 2 November 2010.</ref> | ||
*** [http://www.msdlatinamerica.com/ebooks/DiagnosticNeuropathologySmears/files/59f74df1106573dcdea73be7febff2aa.gif Glial tumour mimicing a carcinoma (msdlatinamerica.com)].<ref name=latinam>URL: [http://www.msdlatinamerica.com/ebooks/DiagnosticNeuropathologySmears/sid117213.html http://www.msdlatinamerica.com/ebooks/DiagnosticNeuropathologySmears/sid117213.html]. Accessed on: 2 November 2010.</ref> | *** [http://www.msdlatinamerica.com/ebooks/DiagnosticNeuropathologySmears/files/59f74df1106573dcdea73be7febff2aa.gif Glial tumour mimicing a carcinoma (msdlatinamerica.com)].<ref name=latinam>URL: [http://www.msdlatinamerica.com/ebooks/DiagnosticNeuropathologySmears/sid117213.html http://www.msdlatinamerica.com/ebooks/DiagnosticNeuropathologySmears/sid117213.html]. Accessed on: 2 November 2010.</ref> | ||
Gliosis vs. neoplasm: | |||
*Gliosis - uniform, pink | |||
*Astrocytoma - irregular, coarse clumps of pink fibrillary material | |||
High grade vs. low-grade: | |||
*Markers of high grade glioma: | |||
# Mitoses (can see these in smear) | |||
# Necrosis (can also see in smears) | |||
Notes: | Notes: | ||
Line 41: | Line 55: | ||
***Crushed/elongated nuclei are present in artifactual processes. | ***Crushed/elongated nuclei are present in artifactual processes. | ||
<!-- *** something i forgot --> | <!-- *** something i forgot --> | ||
===Meningioma=== | |||
Most meningiomas smear rather well, the only exception being ones that are densely fibrous. | |||
*Key features of meningioma smears: | |||
# Single cells or small groups of epithelioid cells with distinct cytoplasmic 'flags' (cytoplasm usually abundant) | |||
# Round nuclei with vesicular chromatin and unapparent or small nucleoli | |||
# Visible actin striations / stress filaments in cells (seen as pink straight lines) | |||
===Metastatic carcinoma=== | ===Metastatic carcinoma=== | ||
Typically has a 'cannonball' appearance -- with small, highly cohesive clusters of epithelioid cells. | |||
{{Main|Metastasis}} | {{Main|Metastasis}} | ||
*[http://moon.ouhsc.edu/kfung/JTY1/NeuroTest/_derived/Q92-Ans.htm_txt_SampleQ92.gif Squamous cell carcinoma (ouhsc.edu)].<ref>URL: [http://moon.ouhsc.edu/kfung/JTY1/NeuroTest/Q92-Ans.htm http://moon.ouhsc.edu/kfung/JTY1/NeuroTest/Q92-Ans.htm]. Accessed on: 3 November 2010.</ref> | *[http://moon.ouhsc.edu/kfung/JTY1/NeuroTest/_derived/Q92-Ans.htm_txt_SampleQ92.gif Squamous cell carcinoma (ouhsc.edu)].<ref>URL: [http://moon.ouhsc.edu/kfung/JTY1/NeuroTest/Q92-Ans.htm http://moon.ouhsc.edu/kfung/JTY1/NeuroTest/Q92-Ans.htm]. Accessed on: 3 November 2010.</ref> | ||
Line 50: | Line 72: | ||
==Things that don't smear well== | ==Things that don't smear well== | ||
Cohesive tumours: | Cohesive tumours: | ||
*[[Neurofibroma]]. | |||
*[[Neurofibroma]]. | |||
*[[Schwannoma]].<ref name=Ref_TPoSP|252>{{Ref TPoSP|252}}</ref> | *[[Schwannoma]].<ref name=Ref_TPoSP|252>{{Ref TPoSP|252}}</ref> | ||
*Subependymoma | *Subependymoma |
edits