Nasseem Husain: homage to a pioneer of cytology automation

Abstract

This tribute to Dr Husain highlights his valuable contribution to the evolving discipline of cytology and the introduction of automation into cytology processes. Additionally, it gives a fascinating insight into cytology developments from the early 1970 ' s not just in automation but with respect to education , training, quality control methods and organised cervical screening in the UK. This study used mathematical modelling to determine the impact on sample adequacy of limiting the number of FNA passes. Analytical formulae were developed for the expected per-case success and expected number of samples for sampling with a limit using ROSE. Under typical sampling conditions for FNAC, sampling limits have relatively little impact on the per-case probability of success and reduce the expected number of needle passes.