Establishment of standard methods for cytological preparation of bile juice

Abstract

Objectives : To standardize cytological bile-juice preparation, we tested several preservative fluids using brushed cells and studied fluid effects by examining morphological changes in nuclei.
Study Design : Brushed epithelial cells from 15 gall bladders resected for cholecystolithiasis were suspended in bile juice including an equal volume of different preservative fluids. After reaction times of 5 minutes and, 1, 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours, we stained precipitates with Papanicolaou stain. Preservative fluids used were physiological saline, 20% bovine serum albumin fluid, RPMI1640 medium, 50% ethanol, CytoRich fluid, and YM fluid. We then observed morphological changes and nuclei staining patterns.
Results : High rates of well-preserved nuclei were obtained up to 24h after brushed cells were suspended in bile juice including CytoRich fluid or YM fluid.
Conclusion : CytoRich and YM fluids are highly effective in minimizing morphological changes in brushed cell nuclei. Our results suggest that both fluids are also effective with conventional bile cytology specimens when added immediately to bile juice after collection.