Evaluation of a Novel Technique of Frozen Sections of Cell Blocks and Immunocytochemistry Protocol for Fine Needle Aspirates and Fluid Cytology Specimens

Abstract

Aim and objectives: Turnaround time is the main issue for formalin fixed-paraffin embedded-cell block diagnosis. The main objectives of this study were to develop fast and simple method of cell blocks preparation using frozen section technique, to develop a protocol of immunocytochemistry (ICC) on them and to evaluate its utility in clinical practice. Material and method: In this case series, we made frozen cell blocks (F-CB) from fine needle aspirates (FNA) and fluid samples using cryostat and performed ICC on them. Results were compared with histopathology diagnosis using Cohen’s Kappa agreement and Fisher Exact test. Results: Out of 25 cases, F-CB from FNA and fluid samples were made in 15 and 10 cases, respectively. ICC was performed on 20 cases. Only 40% of the cases had confirmed diagnosis on cytology smears. Addition of F-CB + ICC test could give a definitive diagnosis in 24/25 (96%) of cases. Conclusions: Newly developed method of frozen sectioning of cellblocks and ICC on them can give rapid and accurate cell block diagnosis.

Diagnostic analysis of pleural fluid cell blocks using relevant immunohistochemical markers in clinically suspicious cases of malignancy

“…Even the frozen section technique has been performed successfully on cell blocks, which allowed rapid diagnosis within a few hours. [ 31 ]…”