Findings in bronchoalveolar lavage processed using a cytospin technique and convential cytology

Hallazgos del lavado broncoalveolar procesado con técnica de cytospin y citología convencional

The cytological interpretation of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimen is currently performed using conventional cytology and cytospin preparations. The atter features concentrated preparations in a 6-mm area for sample visualisation and reduced reading time, with no deterioration in quality.
Objective: To determine the differences in reading time and quality, between the conventional technique and the cytospin technique.
Study design: A cross-sectional study was conducted on BAL specimens that were processed using the conventional technique and the cytospin technique.  Reading time for diagnosis between the 2 techniques was compared. Quality was assessed taking into account, cell preservation and inflammatory cells in mears. The difference in time was calculated using the Wilcoxon test.
Results: Eighty (80) BAL slides were examined, 40 by the conventional technique and 40 by the cytospin technique. A differential count was not performed in 6 cases, in 4 due to excessive number of squamous cells and in 2 cases, processed by the conventional technique, due to exhibiting less than 300 cells. A marked degeneration of epithelial cells was observed using the conventional technique, showing a significant difference in reading time (P<.001).

Conclusions: A significant difference was found between reading times of the 2 techniques, which was longer when using the conventional technique. Better quality smears were observed when using the cytospin technique.

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