All lesions great and small, part 1: Diagnostic cytology in veterinary medicine

Abstract

Cytopathology is a minimally invasive, rapid, and cost-effective diagnostic modality with broad utilization in veterinary medicine. Primary care clinicians often screen common cutaneous and subcutaneous aspirates, with other samples most frequently evaluated by board certified veterinary clinical pathologists in reference laboratories. Wright-Giemsa stains are frequently utilized with the application of ancillary diagnostics such as cytochemistry, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, and molecular diagnostic techniques complicated by the need to develop and validate species specific reagents and protocols. The interpretation of veterinary cytology samples must be undertaken with extensive knowledge of the breadth of animal species, which includes familiarity with the frequency and biological behavior of inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic lesions that are influenced by species, breed, and husbandry conditions. This review is the first of two parts that focus on the most common domestic companion animal species (dog, cat, and horse), taking an organ system approach to survey important lesions that may be unique to veterinary species or have interesting correlates in human medicine. The first of the two-part series covers skin and subcutaneous tissue, the musculoskeletal system, and lymphoid organs. The cytologic features and biological behavior of similar lesions are compared, and selected molecular mechanisms of disease and ancillary diagnostics are reviewed when characterized. Supporting figures illustrate a subset of lesions. While not a comprehensive catalog of veterinary cytology, the goal is to give cytopathologists working in human medicine a general impression of correlates in veterinary practice.

Fine needle aspiration cytology in feline skeletal muscle as a diagnostic tool for extramedullary plasmacytoma

“…Plasmacytoma has a low frequency in cats, and information on clinical cytology in veterinary medicine is less extensive than that available in human medicine, with less regulation of cytological evaluation approach and reports of results (Sharkey et al, 2014). Thus, this report emphasizes significant aspects of the cytological diagnosis of ENP in a young feline's skeletal muscle.…”

“…It provides significant benefits for patients due to the minimal invasion, fast performance, and low cost (Sharkey et al, 2014). This diagnostic tool, when combined with the histopathologic analysis, significantly expands the definitive diagnosis (Rosolem et al, 2013).…”

Shaved margin histopathology and imprint cytology for assessment of excision in canine mast cell tumors and soft tissue sarcomas

“…Samples in the present study were processed and evaluated postoperatively, although both methods described could be applied intraoperatively. Imprint cytology slides could be used intraoperatively, but would require availability of a clinical pathologist on‐site and could delay completion of the surgical procedure due to the processing time . Shaved margin histopathology could also be used intraoperatively, but would require an on‐site pathology service able to prepare and read frozen sections .…”

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of Neoplasms in Dogs and Cats, with Emphasis on Differential Diagnosis - A Retrospective Study

“…FNA requires readily available equipment, takes very little time to perform, causes minimal trauma and may be repeated if required. As an investigative technique it is acceptable to most patients and it rapidly provides a diagnosis on which to base further management (Dey, 2007;Sharkey, 2014).…”