A new convenient technique for making cell blocks.
Cell block sections serve as an important diagnostic annex for cytological smears, liquid-based SurePath cytology and the Liquid-based Thin-prep Cytology Test (TCT). A variety of methods for the preparation of cell blocks are described in the literature and the techniques in cell blocks are in continuous improvement. A new technique for making cell blocks was introduced in the present study. We first used pregelatinized starch as the frame for the cell block, which is a really simple and economic method, because it can be carried out at room temperature without additional special instruments. We have performed hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the cell block sections in 122 cytological specimens. The results demonstrated in this article show that pregelatinized starch is a useful frame for cell blocks. The pregelatinized starch can effectively collect even a few cells with powerful adhesiveness. Therefore, this new technique for making cell blocks is especially useful for cytologic samples with low cellularity, such as cerebrospinal fluid specimens.
Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of TCM, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 111 Dade Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China. 28905709@qq.com
Qing-Lian
QL
He
Ya-Zhen
YZ
Zhu
Guang-Juan
GJ
Zheng
Ling-Chun
LC
Shi
Shao-Wei
SW
Hu
Chu-Tian
CT
Li
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006416:Hematoxylin / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
D006416:Hematoxylin