Cytopathological techniques for the diagnosis of glandular lesions of the genital tract.

In spite of increasing standardization, some variations in preparation, fixation and staining methods still occur between different laboratories. A clear understanding of these techniques is mandatory to optimize the quality of cytological smears. Many readytouse commercial kits are now available that produce reliable and consistent staining; indeed, automation in various forms has improved efficiency in the cytopathology laboratory. New liquidbased technologies can produce monolayered cell samples, eliminate background and provide optimal concentration of epithelial cells. Some of these are based on vacuum filtration, others on density gradient centrifugation. In addition to conventional staining techniques, they also allow human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing, histochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and other special studies. The basic techniques of cytopreparation are summarized in this chapter with an overview of laboratory processing.