Educational Objectives:
1) Understand the utility of and recognize pitfalls of immunocytochemical stains in diagnostic cytology
2) Learn the applications of the more recently described immunocytochemical markers in diagnosis of tumors
3) Provide the basis to select a judicious panel of immunocytochemical stains in the work-up of cases with a difficult and wide differential diagnosis


The cases presented along with the discussion will illustrate applications of immunocytochemistry in diagnostic cytopathology. Using a case-based format, the utility of a variety of immunocytochemical markers in the work-up of a variety of tumors will be presented. The selection of an appropriate panel of immunocytochemical stains in individual cases will be discussed. The role of more recently described immunocytochemical markers and how they could be incorporated to a panel of more established markers will also be discussed.

Educational Objectives:
1) To discuss the problem of analytical resolution in clinical laboratory testing
2) To review processes that worsen morphologic resolution including: metaplasia, degeneration, inflammation, repair and other forms of cellular stimulation
3) To show that the work of important authors of the past can bring clarity to what continues to be a source of insecurity
4) To improve efficiency of daily work-life in gynecologic cytology by attempting to set boundaries on the ASC-US category


In cervical cytology the “gray zone” of Atypical Cells of Uncertain Significance (ASC-US) continues to be a source of frustration for cytologists, clinicians and patients. It is well known that a strictly morphologic analysis cannot totally resolve the diseased and the non-diseased population when evaluating the cytology of the uterine cervix for neoplasia. ASC-US has shown itself to have reproducibility problems between institutions, within institutions and within a given observer. Nonetheless, there are basic principles in the evaluation of cervical cytology given to us by historical figures such as Dr. Stanley Patten and John Frost that can let us know when we are in the realm of ASC-US. Principles that can tell us “when to make the call” and move on to the next case. In this Video-Microscopic Tutorial we intend to talk about many of those principles and to display numerous examples. Patterns and themes of cellular alterations that interfere with our ability to bring clarity to the Pap test will be discussed. We intend to deal with the pain of metaplasia, the perversity of parakeratosis, the problem of degeneration, and enhance our efficiency.

Educational Objectives:
1) Demonstrate how to make a diagnosis of a lymphoproliferative lesion using cytologic material in the context of the 2008 WHO lymphoma classification
2) Provide an update on the new entities recognized in the 2008 WHO lymphoma classification and their cytomorphologic presentation

The use of cytology specimens, particularly FNAs, to diagnose lymphoproliferative lesions continue to grow as more studies can be performed with less material. The 2008 WHO lymphoma classification has introduced several new entities with special attention given to site and age. Some of the newly recognized entities have unique characteristics that might make an accurate cytology diagnosis difficult even with the use of the usual immunocytochemical or flow cytometry markers. The tutorial will provide useful information how to make the diagnosis of lymphoid lesions in the context of the 2008 WHO lymphoma classification and how to address the newly recognized entities. Special attention will be given to potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of the lymphomas with unique phenotype.