Utility of Microwave Processing in Plasma-Thromboplastin Method of Cell Block Prepared from Fine Needle Aspirates

• Main Authors: Maniyan Prakash Sumitha, Shankaran Rukmini Niveditha, Thejasvi Krishnamurthy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2019-08-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
• Subjects: cytology; diagnostic accuracy; turnaround time
• Online Access: https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/13101/42298_CE[Ra1]_F(SHU)_PF1(AG_SHU)_PFA(KM)_PB(AG_KM)_PN(SL).pdf
• ISSN: 2249-782X; 0973-709X

Introduction: Cell Blocks (CBs) in cytology complement routine smears and increase diagnostic accuracy. However, routine processing of CBs on an average varies between 12-18 hours, thereby delaying the additional information it can provide. Though application of microwaves in histopathology is well known, its use in cytology has been sparse. In an attempt to decrease the turnaround time microwave processing of CBs have been attempted. Aim: To assess the utility of microwave processing of Plasma Thromboplastin Method of Cell Block (PTCBs) from Fine Needle Aspirates (FNAs). Materials and Methods: All aspirates (80) from routine FNA procedure done over a period of two months in the Department of Pathology, in a Tertiary Care Hospital were included in the study. The aspirates were clotted by Plasma Thromboplastin (PT) method (slid onto Whatman filter paper, wrapped) and fixed in 10% formalin. Dehydration, clearing and wax impregnation were carried out in a domestic microwave and blocks were ready within 10 minutes for embedding. Results: The PTCBs processed by microwave technique were available for section cutting and staining within 10 minutes. Majority of the aspirates (27.5%) were from breast followed by thyroid (25%), lymph node (13.75%), parotid (10%) and lipoma (10%). Females constituted 75% of study population with adequate material in 70% of all cases. The quality of the sections, staining, architecture and morphology were comparable to routine paraffin sections. IHC was possible on PTCBs. Conclusion: Microwave processing of PTCBs is possible which hastens the turnaround time and assist in planning therapeutic modalities.