Papanicolaou staining of air-dried smears: value in rapid diagnosis.
Air-dried material normally submitted for Diff-Quik (modified Romanowsky stain) was rehydrated in normal saline, then fixed for a short period in formol alcohol, before staining by a modified Papanicolaou technique. Staining was performed by a rapid manual technique (< 2 min) if urgent or routinely on an automatic stainer. Comparisons were made between wet-fixed Papanicolaou-stained specimens and air-dried Papanicolaou-stained material. Air-dried material stained after rehydration showed superior nuclear definition compared with wet-fixed material; the removal of erythrocytes enhanced the staining of the remaining epithelial cells.
Department of Histopathology and Clinical Cytology, Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral Hospital Trust, Upton, UK.
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Jones
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*