Introduction The efficiency of the cytological test largely depends on the control and quality assurance of laboratory procedures, to avoid false results. The objectives of this descriptive review were to point out and discuss the main mechanisms for controlling and ensuring the quality of cytological diagnosis. Study Design A critical revision was performed to identify the principal challenges involved in the processes of all the main issues related to the morphological alterations that characterize a true-related lesion in daily routine of Pap test examination. Principles of QC and QA that are already being implemented worldwide and then discussed the positive aspects and limitations of these as well as proposing alternatives when pertinent. Results: Most of the papers evaluated highlighted the necessity to implementing audit mechanisms to control the performance of the professionals involved with the cytology evaluation. Conclusions: Promising data from the new image-based technological arsenal appear to be a remarkable tool for improving cytological evaluation, reducing errors of interpretation and serving as a powerful arm for cytology teaching.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a valuable diagnostic tool for evaluating breast lesions, yet its use is less frequent compared to core needle biopsies. This study aims to assess the diagnostic performance and clinical utility of FNA in correlation with surgical pathology outcomes.

The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology (TPS) was designed to provide precise diagnostic criteria when evaluating urine cytology and standardize the terminology used in reporting. In our study, we have aimed to determine the effect of TPS on the diagnostic performance of urine cytology, its impact on establishing appropriate risk stratification, and its effectiveness in the diagnosis and follow-up of the patients.

Microsecretory adenocarcinoma (MSA) is a novel entity defined by distinctive histology, a specific immunophenotype, and unique molecular fusion MEF2C::SS18. It occurs mainly in intra-oral minor salivary glands and the skin, with only one reported case affecting the parotid gland. To the best of our knowledge, no cytomorphological features of MSA have been published to date. We report the first case of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) cytology of MSA diagnosed in the parotid gland.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the variation in the use of indeterminate categories of The Bethesda System for reporting thyroid cytopathology across age groups, particularly focusing on atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) category, and discern the potential role of a bias in pathologist's interpretation when dealing with pediatric patients.

Immunocytochemistry (ICC) is suitable for use on a range of cytology preparations, such as cell blocks, air-dried slides, ethanol-fixed slides, direct smears, cytospins, and liquid-based cytology (LBC) samples. However, it must be standardized against the gold standard of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues with adequate number of positive and negative controls. The role of ICC in lung cancer is crucial, as most lung cancer specimens are cytology samples. Accurate diagnosis and testing of certain biomarkers rely heavily on both diagnostic and predictive ICC.

Urinary cytology, a non-invasive screening tool, is essential for detecting high-grade urothelial neoplasms. The Paris System (TPS) standardizes reporting practices to improve diagnostic accuracy. TPS 2.0, introduced in 2022, categorizes samples into six diagnostic groups, emphasizing high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC).

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of lymph node is sensitive for detection of metastatic carcinoma but not without a significant false-negative rate. This study reviews clinicocytological features of negative node aspirates to identify predictive factors for establishing adequacy criteria.

Urine cytology using the Paris system (TPS) classification is useful for the detection and monitoring of bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, the categories "atypical urothelial cells" (AUCs) and "suspicious for high-grade urothelial carcinoma" (SHGUC) do not establish a clear diagnosis. This pilot study aimed to investigate whether the presence of mutations in fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) genes, in urine processed with liquid-based cytology (LBC) could enhance the diagnostic performance of cytology, particularly in defining the indeterminate categories of AUC and SHGUC.

The atypical urothelial cell (AUC) category in The Paris System (TPS) in urine cytology (UrCy) is a challenging area. This study aimed to evaluate the UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization (U-FISH) assay in predicting the outcome of AUC. Additionally, we explored the association of abnormal U-FISH results in high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) concerning muscularis propria invasion (MPI).

Sarcomas presenting as malignant effusions are rare, and diagnosing them on fluid cytology requires expertise and clinicoradiological correlation as cells undergo morphological changes, mimicking carcinoma or mesothelioma.

The World Health Organization 2021 lung cancer classification highlights the central role of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in diagnostic pathology. Despite traditional IHC being essential, its limitation to one marker per tissue section brings challenges, particularly when facing cytological limitedly sized samples. To overcome these challenges, multiplex immunocytochemistry (mICC) techniques offer the simultaneous detection of multiple markers from a single section. These advances complement the highly complex imaging techniques that enable additional analyses of cellular interactions.

Xylene (XL) is the most commonly used clearing agent in Papanicolaou staining. XL is hazardous and toxic chemical and prolonged exposure to XL can cause many ill-health effects. The health risk due to XL can be minimized by substituting XL with less hazardous clearing reagents such as Pine Oil (PO), Eucalyptus oil (EO), or Limonene (LM). The objective of this study was to compare the clearing ability, staining quality, preservation of morphology, physical properties, and cost of XL, PO, EO, and LM.

This study conducts the first meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and the aggregated risk of malignancy associated with each category of the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology (PSC) system for reporting respiratory cytology.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a modern and minimally invasive technique to acquire diagnostic material from within the gastrointestinal tract, as well as from adjacent organs and structures, which can help in the diagnosis and staging of a variety of gastrointestinal malignancies, as well as for non-malignant conditions. Though well described in adults, there is limited literature on the diagnostic utility of EUS-FNA in paediatric patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of EUS-FNA in paediatric patients performed at our centre over the last 17 years.

We aimed to determine the utility of Pipet Curet cytology (PCC) and Pipet Curet biopsy (PCB) for diagnosing uterine endometrial endometrioid carcinoma (EEC).

Recently, an FDA cleared motorized fine-needle aspiration device (CytoCore®, Praxis Medical) has become available which is designed to reduce sample variability by enabling more consistent sampling due to the rotational drilling action of the device in combination with the standard in and out motion used to access the thyroid nodule with a needle. The rotation of the needle permits the ability to collect a higher quantity of intact cellular material, which is optimal for determining adequacy and, ultimately, for making a diagnosis. The present study compares the diagnostic performance of a motorized fine needle aspiration (FNA) device to a historical cohort of patients biopsied using ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (US-FNA).