Rehydration of Air-Dried Smears with Normal Saline: Application in Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytologic Examination

摘要: In fine-needle aspiration cytologic examination, nuclear features are often better assessed in hematoxylin and eosin (H E) or Papanicolaou- (Pap) stained than Romanowsky-stained smears. However, both H E Pap stains require the use of immediately wet-fixed smears for cytomorphologic preservation. Some degree air drying is usually inevitable. Placing air-dried normal saline 30 seconds before fixation 95% alcohol found to be a simple means rehydrating cells. The quality rehydrated superior identical that smears, provided period does not exceed minutes.