NON-CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
General Information
Cytological investigation of fluids, brushings and fine needle aspirates is performed. Immunocytochemistry is available to aid tumour diagnosis and classification in liquid specimens. >50% of non-cervical cytology specimens are reported within 5 days (date taken to date authorised). However, some, particularly more complex cases such as those requiring immunocytochemistry, may take longer.
Requests for non cervical cytology should be made on the Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology request form. Please ensure the type of requested investigation, i.e. non cervical cytology, is clearly marked on the form. If additional assessments are required, e.g. microbiology or clinical chemistry, multiple containers must be sent to the relevant departments. Each test requires a separate request form of appropriate type, which also applies to histology specimens taken in conjunction with a cytology sample.
All non cervical fluids with the exception of sputum samples are collected in tall, sterile white capped universal containers (25ml). Sputum samples are collected in wide necked containers.
| Supplies | Contact |
|---|---|
| Containers | Pathology Issue Store Ext 52418 |
| Specimen bags | Pathology Issue Store Ext 52418 |
| Request forms | Pathology Issue Store Ext 52418 |
| PreservCyt filled universal pots | Cytology Laboratory Ext 38430 |
| Large PreservCyt bottles (supplied with pump) | Cytology Laboratory Ext 38430 |
It is essential that non cervical cytology samples are sent to the laboratory as soon as possible to ensure good preservation and to prevent bacterial overgrowth. If transport is delayed, specimens must be stored in a refrigerator. To ensure safe transportation, each sample is sealed in an individual specimen bag and kept separate from the request form (front pouch of bag).
HIGH RISK SPECIMENS MUST BE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED ON REQUEST FORM AND SPECIMEN CONTAINER.
Request forms should contain the following information:
Patient’s surname
Patient’s first name
DOB
Hospital number
NHS number
Specimen type/clinical history
Date/time taken
Clinician
Location
INFORMATION
The Cytology Laboratory provides a comprehensive non cervical cytology service.
01752 438430 (int. 38430).
Specimen containers should be labelled with the following information:
Patient’s surname
Patient’s first name
DOB and/or hospital number
Specimen type
Date/time taken
Slides prepared in clinic should be labelled using a pencil with the following information:
Patient’s surname
Patient’s first name
DOB and/or hospital number
Type of fixation, e.g. ‘F’ for fixed preparations and ‘A’ for air-dried preparations
Details of the specific fixation required for each of the specimens taken are given in the specimen collection section below.
Please ensure that the specimen is placed on the labelled side of the slide. Fluid specimens must be spread thinly (blood film technique).
Slide preparations requiring fixation are sprayed with Cytofix or immediately immersed in Industrial Methylated Spirit to prevent the specimen drying before fixation. Formalin should not be used as a cytology fixative. Slide preparations requiring air-drying should be dried as quickly as possible by agitating in air (any form of heating should not be used in this process). Both request form and slide preparation must state whether the preparation is fixed or air-dried. Absence of this information may lead to inappropriate processing rendering the specimen unsuitable for cytological assessment.
| Dept | Requested Test | Container | TAT | Special Notes |
| Cytopathology | Ascitic Fluid | 50-100 mls maximum required in clean sterile container | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
Please avoid sending ascitic fluid in containers larger than 100ml due to storage capacity in cytology department
Ascitic fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution. It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge. |
| Cytopathology | Bile Duct Brushings | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
Bile duct brushings should be collected into at least 20ml of PreservCyt solution.
The specimen container MUST be labelled with a PreservCyt label. PreservCyt fixative solution and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430). Guidance for collection of brushings into PreservCyt solution:
|
|
| Cytopathology | Breast Cyst Fluid | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
For suspected ALCL – please record this suspicion clearly on the request form to alert staff.
Breast cyst fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution. It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge. |
|
| Cytopathology | Bronchial Brushings | Sterile container containing at least 20mls PreservCyt | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
Bronchial brushings should be collected into at least 20ml of PreservCyt solution.
The specimen container MUST be labelled with a PreservCyt label. PreservCyt fixative solution and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430). Guidance for collection of brushings into PreservCyt solution:
The brush must be removed from the container and disposed of before sending to cytology. |
| Cytopathology | Bronchial Lavage | Sterile container containing 20mls PreservCyt | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
Bronchial lavage specimens must be collected into at least 20 ml of PreservCyt solution.
Containers must be labelled with a PreservCyt label. PreservCyt fixative solution and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430). |
| Cytopathology | Cervical Cytology | ThinPrep LBC container | Severn Pathology Laboratory (Bristol) | 01686 611333 |
| Cytopathology | CSF – Malignant cells | 25ml white top universal | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
Arrange with lab prior to sending on ext 38430. Contact on-call BMS via the Hospital Switchboard if an out of hours request. Reference should be made to special notes in the Cytopathology section. If sending CSF to more than one department, please send adequate amounts of fluid and seperate request forms appropriate to the tests required. |
| Cytopathology | Cyst Fluids | 50 mls – 100 mls max required in a clean sterile container | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
Cyst fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.
It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge |
| Cytopathology | EBUS | Formalin | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
EBUS samples should be collected into 45ml of formalin.
Do not refrigerate samples in event of delay |
| Cytopathology | FNA samples | Sterile container containing at least 20 mls PreservCyt (for needle washings) | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
Reference should be made to special notes in the Cytopathology section. |
| Cytopathology | Joint Fluids | Sterile container with no fixative solution. | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
Joint fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution. It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge. |
| Cytopathology | Nipple Discharge | Plastic slide carrier. | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
Each individual slide and the slide container must be labelled with at least 3 points of patient ID.
Slides must be allowed to fully air dry before being placed into the container. |
| Cytopathology | Oesophageal Brushings | Plastic slide carrier and/or
Sterile container containing at least 20 mls PreservCyt – brush agitated and removed |
5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
Brushings must be collected into at least 20ml of PreservCyt solution.
The container must be labelled with a PreservCyt label. PreservCyt fixative and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430). Guidance for collection of brushings into PreservCyt solution:
|
| Cytopathology | Pericardial Fluid | 50-100 mls maximum required in clean sterile container | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
If possible, please submit at least 50ml and a maximum of 100ml.
Pericardial fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution. It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge. |
| Cytopathology | Peritoneal Fluid | 50-100 mls maximum required in clean sterile container | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
If possible, please submit at least 50ml and a maximum of 100ml.
Peritoneal fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution. It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge |
| Cytopathology | Pleural Fluid | 50-100 mls maximum required in clean sterile container | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
If possible, please submit at least 50ml and a maximum of 100ml.
Pleural fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution. It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge. |
| Cytopathology | Sputum | Sterile container containing at least 20 mls PreservCyt | 5 days*
*>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
Sputum specimens must be collected into at least 20 ml of PreservCyt solution.
Containers must be labelled with a PreservCyt label. PreservCyt fixative solution and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430). To increase sensitivity of test:
|
| Cytopathology | Urine | 50 mls – 100 mls max required in a clean sterile container | f
5 days* *>50% reported within 5 days – more complex cases may take longer. |
Please avoid submitting urine from the first urination of the day.
Please submit the whole sample if possible. Do not collect mid-stream urine only. Urine should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution. It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration. In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge. |
CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
Cervical cytology kit supplies
The Severn Pathology Laboratory (Bristol) has gone into partnership with a company called Cellpath to provide all of the consumables for cervical screening, this includes vials, brushes and transport bags.
You will receive regular automatic scheduled deliveries based on your average usage.
Each surgery has received an email from CellPath with your annual schedule which will have a unique CellPath order reference number.
If you need to delay or bring forward your delivery, you can contact CellPath; email – info@cellpath.co.uk or call 01686 611333 and quote your reference number.
For more information please visit: www.severnpathology.com
or any further questions please contact: 0117 414 9889 or email cellularpathologycytologyadmin@nbt.nhs.uk