Karen Cormier

Glandular Cell Abnormalities on SurePath Preparations: A Retrospective Review with Cytology-Histology Correlations

Objective: Detecting glandular lesions is challenging by all Pap test methodologies. As the availability of data on identifying glandular abnormalities by SurePath is scarce, we investigated the detection rates and the correlation with histology follow-up. Study Design: A total of 105,927 cases (SurePath and conventional) were searched for the diagnosis of atypical glandular cells or higher glandular abnormalities (AGC+) with the corresponding histologic diagnosis. The associations between the Pap test methods and diagnostic categories were assessed by χ2 test. Results: Overall, 0.32% of SurePath (159/49,375) and 0.29% of conventional (164/56,552) cases showed AGC+ (p = 0.38). Histology confirmed significant abnormalities in 42 versus 53.5% of the cases, respectively (p = 0.064); 72.7% (SurePath) versus 65.2% (conventional) of these were glandular in nature (p = 0.37). The diagnosis of neoplasia (favored or definitive) showed malignancy on follow-up in 100% of SurePath cases (12/12). In contrast, 82.1% of these conventional cases disclosed premalignant or malignant lesions by histology (p = 0.12). Conclusions: AGC+ cases showed higher prevalence on SurePath preparations. Conventional cases had more abnormalities on follow-up, while glandular lesions represented a higher proportion of abnormal histologies following SurePath AGC+s. The positive predictive value of favored or definite neoplasia was higher in SurePath cases. Overall, these differences were not statistically significant.

Endometrial cells on Pap tests: ideal reporting is more complex than just finding the right age: FISCHER et al.

The age for reporting normal endometrial cells (EMCs) on Pap tests was changed to ≥ 45 years in the latest Bethesda update (2014). This recommendation is solely based on age with no consensus on optimal reporting guidelines.

Optimal Utilization of Cytotechnologists’ Screening Skills and Time in Gynecologic and Nongynecologic Cytology

Objectives: With decreasing volumes in most cytology practices, laboratories are tasked to best utilize cytotechnologists’ skillsets and time. We investigated the impact of having a second screener on gynecologic and non-gynecologic cases on utilization and screening outcomes. Methods: Included in our study were 1,200 cases (650 gynecologic and 550 non-gynecologic cases); 421 cases were screened by …

Tissues from Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery: Pathology or Disposal?

Background: Current practice requires specimens from total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to be sent for pathology examination. The literature suggests that pathology examination rarely provides more information than the clinical or radiological diagnosis, nor does it alter clinical management. Objectives: To identify and validate best practice for THA and …