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. 2017 Jul-Sep;34(3):149-153.
doi: 10.4103/JOC.JOC_23_16.

Modified ultrafast Papanicolaou staining technique: A comparative study

Moni Thakur  1 , Venkateswara Rao Guttikonda  1
Affiliations

Modified ultrafast Papanicolaou staining technique: A comparative study

Moni Thakur et al. J Cytol. 2017 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

Introduction: Ultrafast Papanicolaou stain (UFP) was introduced as a hybrid of Romanowsky and Papanicolaou (PAP) stain. It enhances the quality and reduces the time. In the present study, a modified staining technique was adapted where Gill's Hematoxylin was replaced by Harris Hematoxylin.

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the use of the modified ultrafast Papanicolaou (MUFP) stain for fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of head and neck swellings in comparison with the routine PAP stain, hematoxylin and eosin (H and E), and Giemsa.

Materials and methods: Forty FNACs of head and neck swellings were collected. FNAC procedure was performed by standard method; two smears were fixed in 95% propanol and stained with PAP and H and E. Two smears were air dried, 1 was stained with Giemsa, and 1 was rehydrated with normal saline, fixed in alcoholic formalin, and stained with MUFP. Four parameters were considered and scored background, cell morphology, nuclear staining, and overall staining pattern).

Results: The quality of MUFP smears were better when compared to routine PAP, H and E, and Giemsa, and was statistically significant by Wilcoxon matched pair test.

Conclusions: MUFP stain in comparison to routine PAP, H and E, and Giemsa provides an excellent and suitable alterative in cytological staining for the study of various organs.

Keywords: Fine needle aspiration cytology; giemsa; hematoxylin and eosin; modified ultrafast papanicolaou stain; papanicolaou stain.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) Clean background well preserved cell morphology, crisp nuclear characteristics, overall good staining pattern (MUFP stain ×40); (b) Hemorrhagic background well preserved cell morphology, crisp nuclear characteristics, moderately good overall staining pattern (Pap stain, ×40)
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Hemorrhagic background, moderately preserved cell morphology, crisp nuclear characteristics, moderately good overall staining pattern (H and E stain ×40); (b) Hemorrhagic background not preserved cell morphology, dull nuclear characteristics, and bad overall staining (Giemsa stain ×40)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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