Cytopathology

LSIL Pap Smear 40x

In a broad sense, cytopathology refers to the art and science of diagnosing disease through the examination of cell and tissue samples which consist primarily of individual cells and small groups of cells. These samples are typically collected by brushing, scraping, or washing an epithelial surface, or by aspirating a mass or fluid collection. Some of the more common cytologic specimens include cervical brushings for Pap smears, body cavity fluids such as pleural effusions, abdominal ascites, or bladder washings, and fine needle aspirates of nodules/masses of thyroid, salivary gland, lymph node, lung, gastrointestinal or pancreatobiliary origin. Cytopathologists also work closely with proceduralists to provide rapid interpretation of tissue specimens collected during image-guided biopsy procedures to determine if adequate diagnostic tissue is present, and to assort diagnostic material to the appropriate preservation and transport media. When appropriate, cytopathologists themselves can collect tissue samples of superficial lesions through performance of fine needle aspiration biopsy. 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:

Shape-Sensing Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy with concurrent use of radial endobronchial ultrasound and cone beam computed tomography in the evaluation of pulmonary lesions
Interventional Cytopathology
Intraoperative cytology for thoracic surgery
Oxidized regenerated cellulose (surgicel) on cytology/histology
Significance of Oil-Red-O positive macrophages in diagnosing vaping product use-associated lung injury
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 onsite adequacy assessment of cytology materials for diagnostic workup and specimen allocation for ancillary testing using a standardized protocol

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