Cell block preparations lack standardization, leading to inconsistent ancillary testing results, which necessitates the optimization of current methods and consideration of alternative techniques.
Cell blocks are an integral part of cytology, but their utility is recognized probably more now than ever before, largely owing to the significant role they play in ancillary testing, particularly molecular diagnostics. Modifications to improve the cell block method initially introduced more than a century ago have been made over the years. Though their value is acknowledged and they are widely used across laboratories, cell block preparations are not standardized and results of ancillary testing performed on them are inconsistent. This article reviews the state of cell blocks-summarizes the more common, currently available and used methods and their corresponding advantages and shortcomings, outlines the role of alternative techniques (eg, smears), and proposes methods to optimize results.
Anjali Saqi (Wed,) conducted a review in Cytology and ancillary testing. Cell block methods vs. Alternative techniques (e.g., smears) was evaluated. Cell block preparations lack standardization, leading to inconsistent ancillary testing results, which necessitates the optimization of current methods and consideration of alternative techniques.