Cellular Pathology: Types of samples
Histology samples
| Type of sample | Sample requirement |
|---|---|
| Histopathology – Routine Diagnosis | Tissue in 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin, at least 10x the volume of the specimens. |
| Histopathology – Frozen sections (on request) |
Fresh tissue (i.e. no fixative) – delivered immediately to the laboratory. |
Diagnostic Cytology samples
| Sample type | Sample volume | Lab requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Anal brushings | Brush rinsed in Hologic ThinPrep vial. |
Brush tip must not be placed in vial. Ensure ThinPrep vial is in date and stored between 15–30°C. |
| Broncho-Alveolar Lavage (BAL) | Place in an empty sterile container. |
Cells deteriorate rapidly so the specimen should be brought to the lab immediately. Where a Cell differential count is required, sample must be submitted within a couple of hours of sample being taken. |
| Cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) | 2ml sample ideal (less OK). |
Cells deteriorate rapidly so the specimen should be brought to the lab immediately. Inform lab staff that a CSF sample is being sent. These samples must be received in the lab before 4.00pm (Monday to Friday except bank holidays) to ensure they are dealt with that day. Ensure that a separate sample has been submitted to clinical chemistry and Microbiology as well, if appropriate. CSF that is suspected of containing Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) must not be sent to the lab. |
| Cyst Fluid | 25ml (max) of fluid. Place in a plain sterile container. | |
| Endoscopic Brushings (eg. Bronchial) | Placed in 15ml CytoLyt solution. | Please call lab for universal containers containing CytoLyt solution. |
| Endoscopic Washings (eg. Bronchial) | Place in a plain sterile container. | Cells deteriorate rapidly so the specimen should be brought to the lab immediately. |
| FNA slides & Needle Rinses |
Fixed slides must be fixed in 95% IMS or spray fixed. Needle rinses must be placed in a plain sterile container, and can also be sent in Roswell Park Memorial Institute Medium (RPMI) or CytoLyt solution. Ask laboratory if unsure. |
Ensure method of fixation is clearly stated on slide(s). Number of slides submitted must be written on request form. Slides must be allowed to fully dry before placing them into a slide mailer. |
| Genital/Perigenital Lesions (For Diagnosis of Donovanosis) |
Samples must be submitted as unfixed air-dried slides. Ensure that the sample is smeared evenly onto the slide. |
Number of slides submitted must be written on request form. Slides must be transported in a labelled slide mailer. |
| Nipple Discharge |
A direct smear is made by placing a small drop of sample onto a labelled glass slide. A second slide is used to create a smear preparation. Slides can be submitted as air dried or fixed. Fixed slides must be fixed in 95% IMS or spray fixed. |
Ensure method of fixation is clearly written on submitted slides. Number of slides submitted must be written on request form. Slides must be allowed to fully dry before placing them into a slide mailer. |
| Serous Fluid (eg.Pleural, Ascitic, Abdominal, Peritoneal, Pericardial) | 60ml (min) of fluid recommended. Place in a plain sterile container. | If patients have been supine for any length of time please get the patient to sit up and move a little, so that any cells that have settled are resuspended. |
| Sputum | Place in a plain sterile container. |
Should only be taken where patients are unfit for Bronchoscopy. For best results obtain sputum following chest physiotherapy, with an early morning sample before the patient has eaten or brushed their teeth. Multiple samples (x3) may be needed, but they should be taken on 3 separate days. The whole of the expectorated sample should be submitted. |
| Synovial Fluid | 5ml (min) of fluid. Place in a plain sterile container. | |
| Urine |
20ml (min) of fluid in a plain sterile container. Second void of the day to be collected. Red-topped Borate Universals are NOT Suitable for Cytology. The lab will not accept these samples. |
Send to lab ASAP, if delay anticipated refrigerate and store at 4°C or in a preservative, such as Hologic PreservCyt solution. This may be added to the sample in a 2:1 ratio (2 parts urine to 1 part fixative) and this must be recorded on the request form. |