title: Cytologic evaluation of low grade transitional cell carcinoma and instrument artifact in bladder washings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify key cytologic features for the separation of low grade transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) from nonneoplastic lesions in bladder washings.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cytomorphologic features of 95 bladder washing specimens showing papillary fragments, which included 50 low grade TCCs and 45 nonneoplastic lesions, were reviewed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bladder washings from low grade TCCs showed papillary and irregular groups of cells with ragged borders, cytoplasmic homogeneity and subtle nuclear changes, such as increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio and irregular nuclear border. Bladder washings after instrumentation from nonneoplastic lesions of the bladder showed cellular specimens with cohesive, ball-shaped and papillary clusters with smooth borders lined with a denser-staining cytoplasmic collar. Reactive urothelial cells often displayed loose aggregates with irregular borders but no cytoplasmic collar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In bladder washing cytology, nuclear changes and cytoplasmic homogeneity play a major role in the diagnosis of carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Anatomical Pathology and Urology, Inha University Hospital, 7-206, 3rd Street, Shinheung-Dong, Choong-Gu, Inchon, Korea 400-103.
authors.forename: Young Chae
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Jee Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Hye Seung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Joon Mee
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jun Kyu
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Suh
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000295:instrumentation; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000473:pathology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*