{"title":"Utility Of Fallopian Tube Brush Cytology and Cell-blocks As a Screening Tool for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer in Patients Undergoing Gynaecological Surgeries for Benign and Malignant Indications: Attempt at a Classification System.","authors":"Meenakshi Rao, Garima Yadav, Pratibha Singh, Navdeep Kaur Ghuman, Shashank Shekhar, Meenakshi Gothwal, Priyanka Kathuria, Anju G","doi":"10.1159/000546944","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000546944","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Fallopian tube cytology is an evolving and as yet not well-established field. Through this study, we aimed to establish the utility of fallopian tube brush cytology by stratification into cytological diagnostic categories.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cytological specimens were collected using an endobrush from the fimbrial end of the tubes at the time of gynaecological surgeries, and LBC preparation (Liquid-based cy-tology slides prepared by SurePath technique) and cell blocks were prepared. Smears were stratified into: Unsatisfactory/Non-diagnostic (ND), Benign, Atypical, Suspicious of Malig-nancy (SOM), and Malignant. Correlation with histopathology was done, and the Risk of Malignancy (ROM) was calculated for each category. Negative Predictive Value (NPV) and positive Predictive Value (PPV) were calculated. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 392 tubal cytology specimens of 225 patients were collected. 8.2% (n=32) of the specimens were Unsatisfactory/Non-Diagnostic (ND), 87% (n=343) were Benign, 2.6% (n=10) were Atypical, 0.8% (n=3) were SOM, and 1% (n=4) were Malignant. All the cases in the SOM and malignant categories were serous carcinomas on histopathology. Of the ten atypical cases, all were non-malignant on histopathology: two were Serous Tubal In-traepithelial Lesions (STILs) and negative for Serous Tubal Intraepithelial Carcinoma (STIC), four showed salpingitis, and four showed normal histology. ROM for non-diagnostic, benign, and atypical categories was 0%. ROM for the malignant category, as well as the SOM category, was 100%. NPV for the benign category, benign and atypical categories, was 100%. PPV for the malignant category, as well as the malignant and SOM catego-ries, was 100%. Cellblocks were prepared for all cases, and the grey zone categories of atypical and SOM were reduced from 13 to 8. The diagnostic accuracy was 91.3% without and 99.4% with consideration of the Non-Diagnostic category.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Fallopian tube brush cytology shows excellent concordance with the follow-up histopathology in all categories, barring the ND category. Excellent concordance with histo-pathology was seen in cases of the benign category, which comprised the majority of the samples (87.5%). Although excellent concordance was also seen in the other categories with the final histopathology, the number of samples in these categories was less for a definite conclusion. Cell block preparation, though useful, especially in the grey zone categories, did not offer statistically significant results. Another important finding was that not even a single case of incidental STIC was found. This finding raises questions on the accepted current rou-tine practice of preventive salpingectomy for all in the correct setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"1-31"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144590219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lakshmi Harinath, Xinru Bai, Jeremy Minkowitz, Xianxu Zeng, Sarah Harrington, Chengquan Zhao, Liron Pantanowitz
{"title":"Artificial Intelligence in Gynecologic Cytology.","authors":"Lakshmi Harinath, Xinru Bai, Jeremy Minkowitz, Xianxu Zeng, Sarah Harrington, Chengquan Zhao, Liron Pantanowitz","doi":"10.1159/000546182","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000546182","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally with highest incidence and mortality identified in less developed and medically underserved areas in the world. The diminishing cytology workforce, unavailability of expert consultation, and the high volume of Pap tests needing manual screening are the main reasons for exploring innovative solutions to help mitigate the negative effects resulting from the dearth of timely cervical cancer screening in certain population groups.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Developments in whole slide imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) have enabled the emergence of new computer-assisted systems that have the potential for transforming traditional cytopathology practice. However, AI-based systems are relatively new with limited published data on their validation and clinical utility in clinical practice. Our article aims to increase awareness of the availability of such systems, explores the history and development of AI-assisted screening platforms for Pap tests, compares the performance characteristics of various systems, elaborates on technical challenges associated with conducting clinical trials employing this technology, and discusses considerations around deploying such systems in routine cytopathology practice.</p><p><strong>Key message: </strong>Revolutionary AI-based systems are being developed and utilized in cytopathology practice to screen Pap tests. Some of these systems have good performance characteristics and provide opportunities to combat various issues such as workload and standardization faced by cytology laboratories globally. However, judicious review of these systems using evidence-based studies is imperative to promote widespread adoption and maintain high-quality standards for patient safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"1-20"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144590218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS ON SEDIMENT CYTOLOGY: AN ADJUNCT TO EARLY DIAGNOSIS.","authors":"Ajay Kumar Verma, Anjali Narwal, Mala Kamboj, Anju Devi, Adarsh Kumar","doi":"10.1159/000547139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000547139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Sediment cytology, initially applied in urinary diagnostics, has expanded to formalin-fixed biopsy specimens, evaluating exfoliated cells suspended in formalin fixative. Though traditionally discarded, this sediment contains diagnostic material, especially in friable or malignant tissues. It offers a rapid, cost-effective, preliminary diagnostic tool when histopathology is delayed, such as in bone lesions requiring decalcification. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively assess the diagnostic accuracy, applicability, and limitations of sediment cytology across diverse anatomical sites.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines, and an electronic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases until January 1, 2025, without year restrictions. Keywords included \"Sediment cytology\", \"oral neoplasms\", \"bone lesions\", and related terms. Articles in English reporting sediment cytology on formalin-fixed biopsies with cytological-histological correlation were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nine eligible studies were identified, involving various lesions including OSCC, OPMDs, bone lesions, GIT, cervical and ovarian neoplasms. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were 73.3% and 92.1% respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed excellent concordance for OSCC and bone malignancies. Sensitivity was lower in benign lesions and OPMDs, attributed to poor cellularity and exfoliation. Methodological heterogeneity was noted, though overall bias remained low.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Sediment cytology shows valuable diagnostic potential as a preliminary adjunct to histopathology, particularly for malignancies, warranting further standardized multicenter studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144525945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seth Shikuku Kolongolo, Tyrus Omondi, Everlyne Kutolo, Bernard Guyah
{"title":"Cytomorphological characteristics of cervical scrape from controlled and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus patients attending tertiary healthcare, Kenya.","authors":"Seth Shikuku Kolongolo, Tyrus Omondi, Everlyne Kutolo, Bernard Guyah","doi":"10.1159/000547062","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000547062","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Globally, the concurrence of diabetes mellitus and cervical cancer among women is compounded and increasing health burden. Furthermore, the incidence and prevalence of both diseases are increasing, particularly in Middle and Low-income countries. In Kenya, 19.7 % of new cancer cases among women is attributed to cervical cancer. While diabetes causes metabolic disorders and immune alterations that may promote persistent high-risk Human Papilloma virus infection, the magnitude of cervical cytomorphological abnormalities among diabetes women in Kenya remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To determine the cytomorphological characteristics of cervical scrape samples obtained from patients with controlled and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus who visited the Kitale County Hospital, Kenya.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>This prospective, hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2023 and June 2024. A total of 156 patients with diabetes (n=156) between the ages of 18 and 65 years were enrolled. Alcohol fixed cervical smears were processed using Papanicolaou staining method. The findings were reported using the 2014 Bethesda system for reporting cervical cytology. Images were captured for cytomorphological abnormalities using X20 mobile camera. Rstudio 4.2.2 (2024-10-31 ucrt) software was used to analyze data. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare distributions of laboratory characteristics between controlled and uncontrolled diabetes. Fisher's exact test was performed to explore associations between diabetes control and cytomorphological abnormalities. Chi-square tests were performed to determine relationship between diabetes control and presence of cervical abnormalities. Logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between glycemic levels and presence of cytomorphological abnormalities.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 156 cases, cytomorphological abnormalities were reported in 63.5%. Negative for Intraepithelial lesion or Malignancy accounted for 84.0% while 16% were cervical intraepithelial lesions. Non-neoplastic abnormalities/infections were recorded in 48.1% of study participants. The study showed that there is statistically significant difference in the central tendency of age between controlled and uncontrolled diabetes Mellitus [95% CI= 2.0-10.0, p=0.001]. There was statistical significance association between reproductive status and presence of cervical infections [OR=2.18, 95% CI= 1.15 - 4.18, p=0.016]. There was no significant association between diabetes control and occurrence of cervical cytomorphological abnormalities [OR=1.47, 95% CI=0.76-2.86, p=0.704]. While a unit increase in HBA1c was associated with (1.12) times higher odds of cytomorphological abnormality, it was not statistically significant [OR=1.12, CI=-0.11-0.245, p=0.080].</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The current study points both groups of patients with controlled and unco","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"1-28"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144367812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Not Enough Cells: How Insufficient Cytological Specimens Are Mirrored by Reporting Systems - Journey from the Bethesda to the WHO Reporting Systems.","authors":"Ivana Kholová","doi":"10.1159/000546947","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000546947","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pap classes have been replaced by organ-specific reporting systems in recent decades; however, part of the cytological specimens is insufficient. The present review summarises how different organ-specific systems define the insufficient category: Both quantitative and qualitative criteria are used. In addition, the sample volume may be evaluated in certain specimens.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The reasons for an insufficient sample may vary and depend either on the lesion itself or the sampling procedure.</p><p><strong>Key messages: </strong>The management recommendations for insufficient specimens improve communication between cytopathologists and treating physicians.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"1-27"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144315746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Beyond the Microscope: Cytotechnologists' Integral Role in Quality Management.","authors":"Nathalie Andon, Savannah Bean, Vanda F Torous","doi":"10.1159/000546629","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000546629","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cytotechnologists are integral members of the cytopathology team with their role extending beyond that of analyzing slides. They have a unique understanding of cytopreparation, laboratory systems, and workflows given their involvement in varied laboratory processes which makes them key players in quality control, quality assurance, and quality improvement measures. Many cytotechnologists endorse performing quality assurance and/or quality control activities as part of their duties.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>In this article, we review some of the key quality control and assurance measures cytotechnologists are involved in with an emphasis on how they can take a leading role in systems operations and improvements.</p><p><strong>Key messages: </strong>Cytotechnologists are essential to quality assurance and improvement in the cytopathology laboratory given their intimate knowledge and experience with cytopathology techniques and laboratory operations making them key contributors to maintaining and enhancing laboratory standards.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144273847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"New WHO Reporting System for Lung Cytopathology: Reproducibility Test of the Diagnosis and Usefulness of an Online Tutorial System for the New Cytological Categorization.","authors":"Yuko Minami, Akemi Takenaka, Kenzo Hiroshima, Akihiko Yoshizawa, Reiji Haba, Kunimitsu Kawahara, Yasuo Shibuki, Shinji Miyake, Hirokuni Kakinuma, Yukitoshi Satoh","doi":"10.1159/000546179","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000546179","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Since no universal cytological classification system for lung cancer has been established, the Japanese Lung Cancer Society and the Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology (JSCC) jointly established and reported four cytological categories: negative for malignancy, atypical cells, suspicious for malignancy, and malignancy. In 2022, the WHO Reporting System for Lung Cytopathology was published. This system presented five cytological classifications, including the four cytological category classifications above and insufficient/inadequate/nondiagnostic. The creation of a classification alone is not practical in actual clinical practice. Thus, we evaluated the reproducibility of the classification through tutorials and identified the issues and problems involved in the wide dissemination of this classification.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty-two cases were selected from those used in previously published articles, and diagnosis and tutorial systems were created. The first diagnostic round and tutorial and the second diagnostic round were conducted on the web. Participants were recruited via the JSCC website and emails. Images (×100 and ×400) of the lesions to be diagnosed were categorizing by 4 cytological categories (benign, atypical, suspicious for malignancy, malignant), 7 suggestive pathological diagnoses, and 4 cytological features. The mean correct or incorrect answer rates for the 42 cases and the mean correct response rates for 105 participants were compared between the first and second rounds using McNemar's test and t tests to identify cases with diagnostic difficulties and high tutorial effects.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Comparing the correct response to cytological categories, the results showed that 17 of 42 cases improved significantly. The mean number of correct answers for the four cytological categories increased significantly from 16.0 (38.1%) in the first round to 20.3 (48.3%) in the second round (p < 0.001). For the seven suggestive pathological diagnoses, the mean number of correct answers increased significantly from 20.3 (48.3%) in the first round to 25.1 (59.8%) in the second round (p < 0.001). The mean number of correct responses increased significantly from 40.2 (38%) in the first round to 51.5 (49%) in the second round (p = 0.0147). Four cases were difficult to match even after the tutorial and three cases were highly affected by the tutorial. The most important basis for diagnoses was nuclear findings in the first and second rounds.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Comprehensive tutorials on diagnostic criteria are needed to effectively implement this system globally. In particular, devising ways to appropriately diagnose cancers with mild atypia or without characteristic morphology is important.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144172190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"External Quality Assessment in Diagnostic Cytopathology: Current Programs, Challenges, and Perspectives.","authors":"Irena Srebotnik Kirbis, Margareta Strojan Fležar","doi":"10.1159/000546537","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000546537","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>External quality assessment (EQA), including proficiency testing (PT), is a fundamental aspect of laboratory quality management and a key requirement for diagnostic laboratory accreditation.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>This review highlights significant gaps in comprehensive EQA/PT programs for diagnostic non-gynecological cytopathology that fully address all aspects of the diagnostic process, particularly in Europe.</p><p><strong>Key messages: </strong>Current EQA/PT programs for diagnostic cytopathology are mostly regional, national, and only partially cover the examination process. The unique challenges of diagnostic cytopathology, including small and limited patient samples, non-standardized laboratory procedures, biomarker testing tailored to specific cytology samples, and the qualitative subjective nature of cytopathologic reporting, necessitate adapted approaches for effective and meaningful EQA.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144172187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Respiratory Cytology Support System Using a Chromatin Homology Profile for Clinical Applications.","authors":"Kazuki Kanayama, Yuhki Yokoyama, Kento Iida, Kunimitsu Kawahara, Masako Onishi, Mai Iwasaki, Makiko Shibahara, Takashi Matsumoto, Sachiko Nagumo, Hirofumi Yamamoto, Kazuaki Nakane","doi":"10.1159/000546578","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000546578","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In a previous study, we developed a chromatin homology profile (CHP) method using the mathematical concept of homology and an analysis application, \"Cell Checker,\" to differentiate histological types of lung cancer in respiratory cytology. However, issues such as the analyzed field of view and data volume arose because the CHP method is based on images taken with a 100× objective lens. In this study, to overcome these challenges, we investigated the accuracy of the CHP method for differentiating histologic types of lung cancer using images obtained with a 40× objective.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In total, 35 cases of lung cancer and benign tissue were selected, and 6 cancer cells and ciliated columnar epithelial cells per case were imaged with a 40× objective using a KEYENCE microscopy system. We analyzed chromatin contact (b1MAX value) and chromatin density (b1MAX/nuclear area value) with Cell Checker.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The b1MAX value was lower in small cell carcinoma, and there was a significant difference between small cell and non-small cell carcinoma. Significant differences in b1MAX/nuclear area values were found between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These results were similar to those obtained with images from the 100× objective. Moreover, significant differences in b1MAX and b1MAX/nuclear area values were observed between benign and malignant cases.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We have overcome the problem associated with using images obtained with the 100× objective and shown that the CHP method can be used to differentiate between benign and malignant cases. The CHP method could be used as a diagnostic support system for respiratory cytology.</p>","PeriodicalId":6959,"journal":{"name":"Acta Cytologica","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144172185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}