Slide 1: Preparing high-quality cytology slides
Preparing high-quality cytology slides CREATING CLARITY
Slide 2: One or two high-quality slides are sufficient for your most common cytology submissions
One or two high-quality slides are sufficient for your most common cytology submissions. Specimen type Slide preparation and workflow required FNA + Prepare 2 direct slides. Blood + Prepare 2 blood films. + Prepare 1 direct slide. Body effusion +P repare 1 line preparation from and joint fluid unadu
Slide 3: Slide submission tips / Important slide preparation information
Slide submission tips Important slide preparation information When selecting slides to submit to the When preparing slides, remember to: reference lab, be sure to: +L abel each slide with the name, date, source, +V isually inspect the slides in good light, without and slide preparation type. the mic
Slide 4: Preparing FNA slides (2 direct slides recommended)
FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION (FNA) Preparing FNA slides (2 direct slides recommended) Skin/subcutaneous masses, lymph nodes, and internal organs NOTE: Selecting the optimal needle gauge is important as small-gauge needles may cause increased cell lysis and large-gauge needles may introduce excessive blood
Slide 5: Selecting FNA slide(s) for submission
FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION (FNA) Selecting FNA slide(s) for submission What to look for What to avoid Visual slide inspection +S lide has visible material (typically stains +M ostly blood or thick droplets of specimen not blue)/specimen is spread on the slide evenly or thinly spread (as shown above) +S
Slide 6: Preparing blood films (2 blood films recommended)
BLOOD FILMS Preparing blood films (2 blood films recommended) Prepare a blood film using fresh blood (< 24 hours old). Specimen deterioration occurs with prolonged storage. 1 2 Blood film technique 1. Place a small drop of fresh, well-mixed anticoagulated blood on a clean glass slide approximately 2
Slide 7: Selecting blood films for submission
BLOOD FILMS Selecting blood films for submission What to look for What to avoid Visual slide inspection +A thumbprint appearance and presence of +U neven staining, incomplete and asymmetrical a feathered edge feathered edge Microscopic screening (4x, 10x, or 20x objective) +P resence of monolayer, m
Slide 8: Troubleshooting blood films
BLOOD SMEARS Troubleshooting blood films DO Do make sure there is a feathered edge. DON’T Don’t use a dirty or Don’t move so quickly that the blood doesn’t have a chance to chipped spreader slide. spread across the spreader slide. Don’t use slides contaminated Don’t go too fast. with dirt or grease.
Slide 9: Preparing fluid slides
FLUIDS Preparing fluid slides (1 direct and 1 concentrated line prep recommended) Body cavity effusions, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)/tracheal lavage, or joint fluid IMPORTANT: Record color, clarity, and protein with refractometer. Run on hematology analyzer using the appropriate setting per the spe
Slide 10: Selecting fluid slides for submission
FLUIDS Selecting fluid slides for submission What to look for What to avoid Visual slide inspection + Thin film of specimen and noticeable, distinct strip + Specimen too thick and poor spreading of material in line smear Microscopic screening (4×, 10x or 20x objective) +G ood cell color contrast, in
Slide 11: Preparing urine sediment slides
URINE SEDIMENT Preparing urine sediment slides (1 direct and 1 concentrated line preparation) 3a 1. Concentrate a urine sample using these steps: 3. Prepare a line preparation slide using these steps: a. F ill a centrifuge tube with 5 mL fresh, a. Place a drop of well-mixed resuspended urine well-mi
Slide 12: Selecting urine slides for submission
URINE SEDIMENT Selecting urine slides for submission What to look for What to avoid Visual slide inspection + Thin film of specimen and noticeable, distinct + Insufficient drying can lead to washing off strip of material in line smear the specimen during staining Microscopic screening (4x, 10x, or 2
Slide 13: For more information on pathology testing, visit idexx.com/pathology
For more information on pathology testing, visit idexx.com/pathology. © 2024 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. • 06-0019714-00 All ®/TM marks are owned by IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.