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Automated Cellient ™ cytoblocks: better, stronger, faster?
Author(s) -
Prendeville S.,
Brosnan T.,
Browne T. J.,
McCarthy J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1365-2303
pISSN - 0956-5507
DOI - 10.1111/cyt.12159
Subject(s) - fixation (population genetics) , haematoxylin , medicine , cytopathology , eosin , immunocytochemistry , staining , nuclear medicine , pathology , cytology , population , environmental health
Objective Cytoblocks ( CB s), or cell blocks, provide additional morphological detail and a platform for immunocytochemistry ( ICC ) in cytopathology. The Cellient ™ system produces CB s in 45 minutes using methanol fixation, compared with traditional CB s, which require overnight formalin fixation. This study compares Cellient and traditional CB methods in terms of cellularity, morphology and immunoreactivity, evaluates the potential to add formalin fixation to the Cellient method for ICC studies and determines the optimal sectioning depth for maximal cellularity in Cellient CB s. Methods One hundred and sixty CB s were prepared from 40 cytology samples (32 malignant, eight benign) using four processing methods: (A) traditional; (B) Cellient (methanol fixation); (C) Cellient using additional formalin fixation for 30 minutes; (D) Cellient using additional formalin fixation for 60 minutes. Haematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections were assessed for cellularity and morphology. ICC was assessed on 14 cases with a panel of antibodies. Three additional Cellient samples were serially sectioned to determine the optimal sectioning depth. Scoring was performed by two independent, blinded reviewers. Results For malignant cases, morphology was superior with Cellient relative to traditional CB s ( P < 0.001). Cellularity was comparable across all methods. ICC was excellent in all groups and the addition of formalin at any stage during the Cellient process did not influence the staining quality. Serial sectioning through Cellient CB s showed optimum cellularity at 30–40 μm with at least 27 sections obtainable. Conclusions Cellient CB s provide superior morphology to traditional CB s and, if required, formalin fixation may be added to the Cellient process for ICC. Optimal Cellient CB cellularity is achieved at 30–40 μm, which will impact on the handling of cases in daily practice.