Page 34 - Differential Diagnosis in Small Animal Cytology, The Skin and Subcutis

Guidelines to Cytology Smear Examination

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3.2 Interpretation of the Cytological Findings
VetBooks.ir Once all slides have been examined and all cell types identified, examined and described and

infectious agents identified or ruled out (when possible), all the gathered information should be
used to provide a cytological interpretation, preferably contextualized with the clinical presenta-
tion and history. For this purpose, the following questions need to be answered:

• What type of process/processes does it likely represent (inflammatory, hyperplastic,
dysplastic, neoplastic)?
• If inflammatory, which type of inflammation is present? Can the underlying cause be
identified (e.g. infectious agent, foreign material)?
• If neoplastic, can the cell lineage be identified more specifically? Do the cells display or lack
features of malignancy?
• What is the degree of confidence of your cytological interpretation? If not definitive, modi-
fiers can be used (e.g. suggestive or supportive of, probable, possible, suspicion for).
Comment
In a cytology report, the interpretation is followed by a comment, which includes any further
information the pathologist feels the need to communicate. This may include an explanation of
the interpretation provided, any further test that may be needed to refine the diagnosis, and
information about the biological behaviour and prognosis of the disease diagnosed. The follow-
ing points should be considered during the elaboration of the comment:

• What is the degree of confidence of the interpretation provided?
• Are there additional tests that may be of benefit for confirmation, prognosis, staging or
evaluation of the extent of the disease?
• What is the expected biological behaviour based on these findings?