Cellularity of routinely prepared cell blocks : insights from an international study

Srebotnik-Kirbiš, Irena (avtor), Strojan Fležar, Margareta (avtor)

Objective: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cell blocks (CBs) are widely used for processing cytology specimens, but preparation methods remain variable and non-standardised. Low cellularity is a common limitation that may compromise diagnostic utility. This study aimed to evaluate the cellularity of routinely prepared CBs across different preparation methods, laboratories and sample types. Methods: Each laboratory in this multicentre observational study retrospectively assessed 50 consecutive CBs prepared using a single method. Cellularity of Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E)-stained sections was semi-quantitatively evaluated by two independent reviewers per laboratory in four categories: acellular, low (≤ 100 cells), medium (100-500 cells) and high cellular (> 500 cells). The proportion of poorly cellular CBs (acellular + low cellular) was compared across methods, laboratories and sample types using non-parametric tests. Results: Cellularity was assessed for 1817 CBs prepared using Agar (22%), HistoGel (19%), Plasma-Thrombin (19%), Cellient (17%), In-house (15%) and Shandon/Epredia (8%) methods. The proportion of poorly cellular CBs ranged from 4% to 80% across laboratories (mean 27%, median 25%), with no consistent clustering by method. Median proportions by method ranged from 12% (Cellient) to 35% (Agar), but inter-method differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Substantial variability was observed both across and within sample types and preparation methods. Conclusions: The study revealed marked variability in the proportion of poorly cellular CBs among preparation methods and laboratories, highlighting the need for improved processing and monitoring of CB adequacy.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: cell block, cellularity, cytology, preparation of method
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: MF - Medicinska fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: Str. 214-221
• Številčenje: Vol. 37 , iss. 3
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-184919
• UDK: 616:576
• ISSN pri članku: 0956-5507
• DOI: 10.1111/cyt.70065
• COBISS.SI-ID: 271666691
• Datum objave v RUL: 17.07.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Cytopathology
• Skrajšan naslov: Cytopathology
• Založnik: Wiley
• ISSN: 0956-5507
• COBISS.SI-ID: 513812

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: celični blok, celularnost, citologija, metoda priprave