Abstract
We studied the diagnostic efficacy a cell block method using disposable swab tubes and compared it with that of a conventional cytologic smear method. Seventy-four patients were recruited in this study. Cell blocks were prepared from pancreatic juice from 11 patients, bile from 28 patients, EUS-FNA specimens from the pancreas from 10 patients, and effusion fluid from 25 patients. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on 15 patients. Among the 74 patients diagnosed using cytologic smear preparations, 31% (23/74), 53% (39/74), and 16% (12/74) showed positive, negative, and equivocal findings, respectively. As for the diagnosis using cell block sections, 41% (30/74), 53% (39/74), and 6% (5/74) showed positive, negative, and equivocal findings, respectively. The cell block method showed a higher positivity than the cytologic smear method. Cell block sections showed clear histologic constitutions. Our method is easy and useful for preparing cell blocks. Combination of conventional cytologic smear method, cell block method, and immunohistochemical analysis can improve the positivity rate in diagnosis.
