Small-Cell Malignancies of Thyroid: Challenge Solved?

“Small-cell malignancies of thyroid” is an unsolved dilemma. This term represents an umbrella terminology in thyroid, encompassing for a small group of tumors in which some of them are well-recognized tumors like medullary thyroid carcinoma, poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma, and primary thyroid lymphomas and teratoma, whereas the remaining are less known as primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of thyroid, primary extraskeletal Ewing family tumors, and adamantinoma-like Ewing sarcoma. When the issue comes to evaluate a cytological sample predominantly composed of small-cell morphology, metastatic small-cell carcinomas to thyroid also should be excluded. In this review, our group focused on the main cytomorphological and clinical clues of each entity that help to set up a correct differential diagnosis. The literature discussions were also included for the entities that are not yet recognized by the mother publication WHO. A key point of the issue’s simple algorithm based on FNAC with small-cell morphology of thyroid was suggested by the authors.

Cytopathology Practice in the COVID-19 Era: Focus on Sample Workload

Since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak was declared a pandemic, the magnitude of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has continued to grow, putting an unprecedented strain on all medical fields. Its effects on cytopathology workloads have been dramatic. Indeed, despite the implementation of several laboratory biosafety recommendations, cytological screening activities and cytological sampling of patients at low risk of malignancy have been postponed to limit the risk of contagion and to lessen the strain on overwhelmed hospital facilities. In this scenario, a drastic reduction in the total number of cytological specimens has been observed worldwide. This review summarizes the current evidence of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cytopathology practice by focusing on its impact on cytological sample workload.

Development of a Neurocomputer Modular Information System for Cancerous Diseases Diagnostics in Animals

Information system was developed in the form of a web application that makes it possible to identify microscopic images of cytological samples, to establish an initial diagnosis and to provide recommendations for its further confirmation based on additional data. Approaches, assumptions and prerequisites adopted in the information system development are described. It is proposed to use neural networks as the information system element in sample identification and making the initial diagnosis. Patient data, affected area images and microscopic images of cytological samples are planned to be collected in the information system database under creation. Cytological sample images serve as the input data for neural networks operation. Cytological picture assessment is based on the use of the following characteristic features: preparation background, number and location of cells, size and shape of cells, nucleus, presence of multinucleated cells and fission entities (atypical mitoses), etc.

Cytology in the time of coronavirus disease (covid-19): an Italian perspective

IntroductionThe coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) is changing the way we practice pathology, including fine needle aspiration (FNA) diagnostics. Although recommendations have been issued to prioritise patients at high oncological risk, postponing those with unsuspicious presentations, real world data have not been reported yet.MethodsThe percentages of the cytological sample types processed at the University of Naples Federico II, during the first 3 weeks of Italian national lockdown were compared with those of the same period in 2019.ResultsDuring the emergency, the percentage of cytology samples reported as malignant increased (p<0.001), reflecting higher percentages of breast (p=0.002) and lymph nodes FNAs (p=0.008), effusions (p<0.001) and urine (p=0.005). Conversely, thyroid FNAs (p<0.001) and Pap smears (p=0.003) were reduced.ConclusionsEven in times of covid-19 outbreak, cytological examination may be safely carried out in patients at high oncological risk, without the need to be postponed.

IMPRESSIONABLE CYTOLOGY METHOD IN DIAGNOSTICS OF DRY EYE SYNDROME

Analysis of the cellular composition of the eyeball conjunctival prints and evaluation of the informative of the cytomorphological method of research in the diagnosis of dry eye syndrome (DES). Cytological examination using impression cytology was performed in 72 patients: 60 patients with DES and 12 without eye disease (control group). The main component of cytological sample in patients with DES are (a) squamous epithelium (hyperkeratocytes); (b) groups and clusters of flattened epithelial cells; (c) a small amount (up to five in the preparation) of goblet cells. Impression cytology method improves the accuracy of diagnosis of DES.

Using simulation as cervical and anal cytology teaching-learning strategy

The current descriptive study is an experience report about the use of gynecological simulators in teaching and research activities developed in the Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in Health at Cruz Alta University in Southern Brazil. The aim of the present study is to describe the use of gynecological simulator as cervical and anal cytological sample collection teaching-learning strategy, as well as to describe the protocol adopted in such procedure. The gynecological simulator is a useful instrument applied to the sample collection practice for cervical and anal cytological examination purposes, since it is a static dummy anatomically similar to the female body. Simulating the procedure allows students to train and improve skills required to the technique; however, the theoretical contextualization must precede the practice in the simulator in order to stimulate students to reflect on all aspects involved in the exam. The use of gynecological simulator is recommended as complementary tool in cytologic examination teaching-learning scenarios.

Taking ecto- and endocervical scrapings for the cytological study

In the article there is presented the technique of taking ecto- and endocervical scrapings for the cytological method of research. There are described in details the various techniques used in routine clinical practice. Particular attention is paid to the quality of the collecting cytological sample - technique of taking samples of cellular material. There is described the preparation to the study, readings and research goals. The accompanying photos illustrate in detail all the stages of the cytological screening of the uterine cervix.