First determine for each specimen whether it's cellular.  If you don't know
this, you can't know whether an acellular slide is that way because the
original specimen contained no cells, or it contained cells that are lost in
processing.  Therefore, look at a drop of raw specimen microscopically
before doing anything.  However cellular it is, or isn't, is as good or as
bad as it can be.  Don't rely on cell counts.  It's essential to see for
yourself what you're dealing with.  The number of drops to be added is
guided by the graphic in the Shandon Cytospin User's Manual, which I wrote.

Gary Gill

> -----Original Message-----
> From: DFlynn9872@aol.com [mailto:DFlynn9872@aol.com]
> Sent: April 03, 1999 8:44 PM
> To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject: Cytology preparation
>
>
> Hello Histonetters:
>
> I was curious to find out if other histotechs are also responsible for
> cytology preparation in their laboratories.  And also, if anyone has any
> suggestions on how to do cytoprep on CSF.  I centrifuge the CSF with
> saccomano fluid added for 10 minutes at 3200 rpm (this is the
> only centrifuge
> I have access to), then cytospin for 3 minutes at 2000 rpm.  The slide is
> then immediately placed in 95% alcohol for fixation until ready
> to pap stain.
>  The problem is that our pathologists say there are no cells on
> the stained
> slide.  So I automatically check to see if a cell count has been done, to
> correlate the findings.....of course 90% of them have a ZERO cell
> count, but
> I am worried about the 10% that shows WBC's and such.
>
> Please help!
>
> Debra Flynn
> River Oaks Hospital
> Jackson, MS
>