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

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

Main Article Content

José Fernando Polo
Victoria Elena Peña
Cristian Jair Pérez

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

References

1. Weinberger SE, Kelman JA, Elson NA, Young RC Jr, Reynolds HY, Fulmer JD, et al. Bronchoalveolar lavage in interstitial lung disease. Ann Intern Med. 1978;89:459–66.

2. Meyer KC. The clinical utility of bronchoalveolar lavage in interstitial lung disease - is it really useful? Expert Rev Respir Med. 2014;8:133–5.

3. García E. Lavado bronquioloalveolar. En: Rodríguez J, de Agustín D, editores. Cuadernos de citopatología. Aparato respiratorio-I (Técnicas. Células normales lavado bronquioloalveolar). Colombia: Diaz de Santos; 2003. p. 9–11.

4. Fariña González J, Rodríguez Costa J. Citología respiratoria y pleural. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 1996. p. 194.

5. Gold WM, Murray JF. Atlas de técnicas en medicina respiratoria. Madrid: S.A. Elsevier Espan˜ a; 2003. p. 512.

6. Díaz J, García P, De la Barra R, Gasep J, Levican J, Quiroga T. Utilidad de la citocentrifugación en el diagnóstico bacteriológico microscópico de fluidos corporales. Rev Chil Infectol. 2002;19:167–73.

7. Solomides C, Johnston W, Elson C. Respiratory tract. En: Bibbo M, Wilbur D, editores. Comprehensive Cytopathology. Londres: Elsevier; 2008. p. 247–87.

8. Laportadez R, López García-Gallo C, Mora G, Trisán A. Indicaciones e interpretación del lavado broncoalveolar. Medicine. 2006;9:4343–5.

9. Chamberlain DW, Braude AC, Rebuck AS. A critical evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage. Criteria for identifying unsatisfactory specimens. Acta Cytol. 1987;31: 599–605.

10. Baughman RP, Dohn MN, Loudon RG, Frame PT. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage in tuberculosis and fungal infections. Chest. 1991;99:92–7.

11. Allaouchiche B, Jaumain H, Dumontet C, Motin J. Early diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Is it possible to define a cutoff value of infected cells in BAL fluid? Chest. 1996;110:1558–65.

12. Varón FA, Buitrago AF. Concordancia entre el gram y el cultivo del lavado broncoalveolar en pacientes con neumonía asociada al ventilador. [trabajo de grado]. Bogotá: Universidad del Rosario; 2010.

13. Levy H, Horak DA, Lewis MI. The value of bronchial washings and bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of lymphangitic carcinomatosis. Chest. 1988;94:1028–30.

14. Poletti V, Poletti G, Murer B, Saragoni L, Chilosi M. Bronchoalveolar lavage in malignancy. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2007;28:534–45.

Citado por