title: Comparison of Ultrafast Papanicolaou Stain with the Standard Papanicolaou Stain in Body Fluids and Fine Needle Aspiration Specimens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most cytology laboratories in all Gulf countries including Oman, use the standard papanicolaou (PAP) method to stain various cytological specimens. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible application of ultrafast PAP (UF-PAP) method in cytology laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples from 46 patients containing 26 body fluids and 20 fine needle aspirations (FNAs) (9 thyroids and 11 breasts) were collected. Two air dried and two wet smears from each sample were prepared and stained by UF-PAP and the standard PAP stains, respectively. Background, nuclear staining, cell morphology, and overall staining were independently reviewed by two cytoscreeners.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all cases of FNA, UF-PAP stain gave a good score for the background, nuclear staining, cell morphology, and overall staining when compared with the standard PAP method. Although the correct diagnosis was made in all cases of body cavity fluids cases except in one case, UF-PAP stain gave a fewer score in the assessment of body cavity fluid samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study support the use of UF-PAP method in cytology laboratory with a high emphasis on FNA samples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allied Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Nasar Yousuf
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Alwahaibi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Mariam Said
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Alsubhi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Najat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aldairi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Amna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alshukaili
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Usha Rani
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Bai
keywords: Body cavity fluids; cytology; fine needle aspiration; papanicolaou; ultrafast papanicolaou