Cell Lysis Due to Ultrasound Gel In Fine Needle Aspirates; an Important New Artefact In Cytology

Abstract

An important new artefact in cytopathology is described. The initial observation of the artefact followed contamination of a breast fine needle aspiration (FNA) sample by ultrasound gel which was used to localize the lesion. The changes proved reproducible ex vivo. The changes varied depending on the conditions and degree of contamination, and ranged from cell swelling to leakage of nuclear chromatin and cell lysis. This artefact is discussed in the context of other major sources of cytology artefact. Pathologists and radiologists should beware of the detrimental effects of ultrasound gel on cytology specimens.