Overview
- Microscopic study of cells obtained from skin or internal organs.
- Cells are smeared or pressed (compression smear), onto a slide and stained, then viewed by light microscopy.
- Rapid, requires minimal equipment.
- Direct evaluation of neoplastic/inflammatory changes provided representative sample obtained.
Uses
Alone
- Cutaneous masses
. - Intra-cavitary fluids.
- Intra-abdominal masses (liver , spleen , kidney , mesenteric lymph node).
- Intrathoracic masses.
- Intraoperative evaluation of masses.
In combination
- To assess the nature of a mass during surgical excision, prior to histopathology.
- Diagnostic imaging: in assessment of intra-abdominal or thoracic masses.
Result data
Normal (reference) values
- Depends on cell type.
Abnormal values
Neutrophilic inflammation
- Bacterial infection.
- Some yeast infections, eg Candidaspp .
- Sterile inflammation, (non-degenerate neutrophils).
- Necrosis.
- Fungal infection.
- Foreign body reaction.
- Mycobacterial infection.
- Old abscess.
- Lick granuloma .
- Parasitic infection.
- Hypersensitivity reaction.
- Neoplasia.
- Infection.
- Neoplasia.
Errors and Artifacts
- Non-representative sample.
- Poorly exfoliating mass.
- Cell lysis due to handling.
Sources
Publications
Refereed papers
- Dunn J K & Villiers E (1998) General principles of cytological interpretation. In Pract 20 , 429-437.
- Moriello K A & Rosenthal R C (1990) Clinical approach to tumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Vet Clin N Am Small Anim Pract 20 (4), 1163-1190.
- Mills J N (1989) Lymph node cytology. Vet Clin N Am Small Anim Pract 19 (4), 697-717.
