Chapter 22 



Special Procedures I 



Exfoliative Cytology 



Exfoliative cytology (study of cells as opposed to Histology, study of 

 tissues) concerns the preparation and examination of desquamated 

 cells. These are cells which have been shed or pulled off from a superfi- 

 cial epithelium, mucus membranes, renal tubules, or the like. For ex- 

 ample, the horny layer of epidermis is shed normally, but in disease or 

 inflammation the process may become exaggerated and form abnormal 

 sized flakes or scales. These may be placed on slides, stained, and exam- 

 ined. 



Methods in this field have reached high priority among diagnostic 

 procedures for Pathology. By screening slides made from smears (vagi- 

 nal, cervical, prostatic, or the like) or from body fluids (peritoneal, 

 pleural, gastric, urine, spinal, etc.), rapid diagnosis of malignancies is 

 made possible. 



The cells in question degenerate rapidly and smears should be made 

 and fixed immediately, in equal parts of 95% alcohol and ether, for a 

 minimum of 15 minutes. The slides may remain in this fluid as long 

 as a week before staining. 



Add to body fluids an equal volume of 95% alcohol and centrifuge 

 as soon as possible, medium speed, 2000 rpm., 3 minutes. Remove super- 

 natant fluid. (If smears cannot be made immediately, cover the sediment 

 with absolute alcohol and place in refrigerator.) Drop some of the sedi- 

 ment on an albumen-coated slide and, using another slide, smear the 

 sediment as evenly as possible over the albumenized area. Allow the 

 smear to begin to dry around the edge but still remain moist in the 

 center. Fix in ether-alcohol, 1 hour. 



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