Importance of screening the peripheral smear

A 5-year-old boy presented with history of failure to thrive from infancy. There was a history of one sibling death due to similar problems and history of severe abortions in the mother. Routine examination of peripheral smear revealed more than 50% acanthocytes. Based on this tests were streamlined to doing lipid profile and Lipo protein electrophoresis which revealed hypolipidemia and absent Β hypo protein band. Jejuna) mucosal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of A Beta Lipo proteinemia which revealed lipid laden enterocytes. This case illustrates the importance of simple tests like peripheral smear examination in streamlining further tests in the diagnosis of major diseases.     

Cytomorphometric analysis of vaginal cells during normal cycle, under oral contraceptive therapy or in-vitro fertilization stimulation protocol

A cytomorphometric analysis of superficial vaginal cells inwomen in three groups of different types of hormonal concentrationwas made. There were 15 women in each group. Group I was studiedduring a natural cycle, group II under oral contraceptive therapyand group III during an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) stimulationprotocol. Morphometric parameters were measured on an imageanalyser. The area, perimeter and several form factors weremeasured separately for nuclei and cytoplasm. The nucleus:cytoplasmicratio was also determined. The cytoplasmic area was significantlyreduced in group II and was associated with a statisticallysignificant reduction of the nuclear area. The nucleus:cytoplasmicratio appeared significantly increased in group II and reducedin group III. Low oestradiol impregnation obtained with an oralminidosed contraceptive interfered with vaginal cell maturation.High oestradiol concentrations obtained during IVF protocolsinduced marked nuclear pycnosis but did not induce supra-physiologicalcell enlargement. Maximal cell size is genetically regulatedaccording to Driesch's law of volume invariance and hormonalover-stimulation has no effect on cell size. The nucleus:cytoplasmicratio appears to be a powerful parameter reflecting the oppositeeffects of hormones on cell compartments.     

TBS诊断系统在宫颈病变中的应用研究

目的：对642例查体病人的宫颈涂片进行分析，研究宫颈良性病变和癌前病变及癌变在正常人群中的的发病率。方法：应用TBS系统对兰州市某大型商场30～51岁妇女642例行子宫颈涂片，显微镜下阅片，作出诊断，并对SIL以上的病例行阴道镜下活检术，进行病理检查。结果：正常582例，异常60剜，全部病例中仅1例漏诊。结论：TBS诊断系统与病理和临床诊断趋于一致，具有很高的准确性和适用性。     

Q-tip pap smear: Should it be done routinely in patients who have developmental disabilities?

In some patients with mental retardation, a Q-tip pap smear obtained blindly from the upper vagina may be the only cytologic smear obtainable without subjecting the patient to heavy sedation or to examination under anesthesia. The efficacy of blind Q-tip smears has not been previously determined. Of 31 Q-tip smears obtained from patients with CIN, the Q-tip smear identified the abnormality in 10 (32%) patients. For those patients who will not submit to examination without anesthesia or sedation, routine screening with multiple smears, obtained on an annual basis has the potential to identify many cases of CIN which otherwise would not be identified at all, and in certain patients, this method outweighs the risks of heavy sedation or general anesthesia. Because of the greatly reduced sensitivity of the Q-tip pap, every effort should be made to help the patient and/or her family or guardian to understand the implications and risks of this method. However, if an examination under anesthesia is performed for other indications, a complete gynecologic examination and a direct smear should be obtained at that time.     

Preliminary evaluation of cyto-rich: An improved automated cytology preparation

A new cervical cytology monolayer preparation system called Cyto-Rich was evaluated. Using samples from 557 patients, Cyto-Rich monolayers were compared to matched conventional smears. After conventional smears were prepared and spray fixed, residual exfoliated cells were transferred to preservative fluid. The cell suspensions were gently disaggregated and the epithelial component enriched with gradient centrifugal sedimentation. The batched samples were then placed on the Cyto-Rich work station where slides are automatically prepared and stained. The results demonstrate that Cyto-Rich prepared monolayers are vastly superior to the conventional smears for cell presentation. While the study showed 99% overall concordance, Cyto-Rich improved the detection of low-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions.     

Cervical cancer screening program of Paraná: cytohistological correlation results after five years

Since its inception in November 1997, the Cervical Cancer Screening Program of Paraná (CCSPP), Brazil, has resulted in the cytological screening of 2,244,158 women, the coverage of the female population increasing from 43% to 86%. One thousand six hundred one cases screened by cytology, submitted to colposcopy, and subjected to treatment were selected. Cytopathological results were compared with those obtained on the basis of histological analyses of the loop electrical excision procedure specimens, and were subjected to statistical analyses. The data obtained were then compared with cytohistological correlation results from the first year of the program. Considering the exact correlation between cytological and histological diagnoses, the correlation index increased from 53.34% in the first year to 67.3% at the end of 5 yr of the program. Variations that occurred in each diagnostic category are discussed. This study demonstrates a significant improvement in the concordance between cytological and histological results for the 5-yr period compared with the first year of the CCSPP.     

Cervicovaginal (Papanicolaou) smear findings in patients with malignant mixed Müllerian tumors

Malignant mixed Müllerian tumor is a rare neoplasm that occurs most frequently in elderly patients. It is characterized by a mixture of malignant epithelial and sarcomatous components. Little has been published about Papanicolaou smear findings pertaining to malignant mixed Müllerian tumors. We present our experience, with an emphasis on cytologic detail. Nine patients (median age, 65 yr) met our study criteria. All available smears and surgical specimens were reviewed. Four smears were positive for malignancy, with a sensitivity of 44% (3 adenocarcinoma, and 1 squamous-cell carcinoma, small-cell type). The results of our study showed that Papanicolaou smear findings pertaining to malignant mixed Müllerian tumors are seen in patients with advanced-stage disease with involvement of the lower uterine segment or cervix. The usual finding is large numbers of high-grade epithelial malignant cells in a necrotic background. The mesenchymal component rarely sheds cells visible on Papanicolaou smear.     

Atypical glandular cells--an update

The diagnostic category of atypical glandular cells (AGC) in the Bethesda system for the reporting of cervicovaginal cytology has undergone significant modification since its inception in 1988. More than a decade later, this category remains a diagnostic challenge to both clinicians and cytopathologists because of the lack of uniform cytologic criteria, the lack of interobserver agreement in the diagnosis, and the lack of standardized patient management guidelines. This article reviews the current classification of AGC in the Bethesda system, the cytomorphologic features and differential diagnosis, the clinical significance of a diagnosis of AGC, and the clinical management of patients with AGC. This article provides a comprehensive clinicopathologic review of the category of AGC.     

滤膜法与涂抹法检测血液透析相关用水微生物的效果

目的 探讨滤膜法和涂抹法检测血液透析相关用水微生物的效果,为选择合适的检测方法提供依据。方法 回顾性收集某三级甲等综合性医院2018年1-12月同时采用滤膜法和涂抹法检测血液透析相关用水微生物的结果,对比分析滤膜法和涂抹法检测细菌检出率、单位菌落数、超干预值检出率和微生物合格率。结果 共收集274份血液透析相关用水微生物检测结果,其中透析液131份,反渗水39份,B浓缩液（下简称B液）14份,置换液34份,其他透析用水56份。滤膜法细菌检出率均高于涂抹法,其中透析液、反渗水、置换液、其他透析用水标本使用两种方法的细菌检出率比较,差异有统计学意义（均P<0.05）。透析液、B液、其他透析用水标本单位菌落数滤膜法数值上低于涂抹法,但仅其他透析用水标本使用两种方法检测结果单位菌落数差异有统计学意义（t=-3.011,P=0.004）。超干预值检出率其他透析用水滤膜法低于涂抹法,差异有统计学意义（χ²=6.596,P=0.010）。置换液、反渗水标本微生物合格率滤膜法数值上低于涂抹法,但仅置换液标本微生物合格率差异有统计学意义（χ²=18.987,P<0.001）。结论 滤膜法检出细菌的能力高于涂抹法,但其在血液透析相关用水微生物检测中存在一定局限性,除用于置换液比较适合外,应用在其余血液透析相关用水微生物的检测效果并不优于涂抹法。     

686例痰阳肺结核病人短程直接督导化疗效果观察

目的 为观察短程直接督导化疗(dots)对痰阳肺结核病人的治疗效果。方法 统计分析我县防疫站门诊1993—1999年686例痰阳肺结核病人的治疗结果。结果 686例痰阳肺结核病人中：初治痰阳病人496例,治愈487例,治愈率98、1％,复治痰阳病人190例,治愈175例,治愈率为92.1％。结论 痰阳肺结核病人采用(dots)方法治疗,病人由村医生直接治疗,治疗中乡镇医生管理,督导6次以上,县卫生防疫站督导员督导3次以上,实践证明,短程直接督导化疗能提高痰阳肺结核病人的治愈率。