Samurai you always make me laugh.
Patsy Ruegg

RSRICHMOND@aol.com wrote:

> Toy Bridgman asked about Tzanck preparations.
>
> It's neither a stain nor a preparation, it's an obscure ritual that's in
> internists' handy-dandy little books (the ones with the spiral bindings that
> fit into the sagging pocket of a long white coat, back of the stethoscope of
> the year) about how to harass the laboratory.
>
> This is a cytologic procedure, and should be done in a cytopathology lab.
> Smears should be fixed in alcohol for Pap staining, or air dried for
> polychrome (Diff-Quik). The detailed procedures on how to collect the
> specimen are worth everyone's filing away for future reference.
>
> Bob Richmond
> Samurai Pathologist
> Knoxville TN