title: Young Investigator Challenge: A novel, simple method for cell block preparation, implementation, and use over 2 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The cell block is an essential adjunct to conventional cytopreparatory techniques. The need for molecular analysis and immunostains will increase the need for successful cell block preparation. Even with this need, to the authors' knowledge very little has changed regarding the way in which cell blocks are produced.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors developed A Formalin-Fixed, paraffin Embedded Cytology cell block Technique (AFFECT) that uses a cytospin centrifuge and funnel to deposit a cell pellet into a well on a piece of open-cell, absorbent foam. The foam and the pellet are then sent through normal processing. Herein, the authors present the implementation of this method and some of their experience with its performance over the course of 2 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although a comparison of the methods indicated good correlation for the production of a cell block between AFFECT and the agarose method, the AFFECT blocks demonstrated markedly improved cellular morphology. Over the first 6 months of use, AFFECT produced a successful cell block in 74% of cases overall, and in 65% of cases with a cell pellet measuring ≤0.1 mL. The year preceding the implementation of AFFECT and its first year of use were compared for endoscopic and bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration specimens, and demonstrated an improved success rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors developed a novel method of cell block preparation that demonstrates improved histology and has increased the success rate of cell block production compared with the agarose method. Cancer Cytopathol 2016;124:885-892. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Kathryn G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Lindsey
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Houser
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Wanda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shotsberger-Gray
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Olga S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Chajewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D005404:Fixatives / Q000737:chemistry; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000737:chemistry; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde
keywords: agarose method; cell block; fine-needle aspiration; immunostains; molecular analysis