A Practical Guide to the Role of Ancillary Techniques in the Diagnosis of Infectious Agents in Fine Needle Aspiration Samples

Laurel J Glaser; Kathleen T Montone

doi:10.1159/000497076

A Practical Guide to the Role of Ancillary Techniques in the Diagnosis of Infectious Agents in Fine Needle Aspiration Samples

Acta Cytol. 2020;64(1-2):81-91. doi: 10.1159/000497076. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Authors

Laurel J Glaser¹, Kathleen T Montone²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
² Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Kathleen.Montone@uphs.upenn.edu.

PMID: 30889574
DOI: 10.1159/000497076

Abstract

Fine needle aspiration samples and small biopsies provide a minimally invasive diagnostic modality for mass lesions. When an infectious process is suspected based on initial evaluation, ancillary techniques can assist in making a specific diagnosis. Here we review the cytopathology that should prompt additional testing and review the availability and interpretation of special stains, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. In addition, this review addresses when special cultures may be necessary and the use of newer molecular techniques for pathogen identification.

Keywords: Diagnosis; FNAB; Infectious cytology; Molecular pathology.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bacteria / genetics
Bacteria / isolation & purification
Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
Bacterial Infections / microbiology
Biopsy, Fine-Needle / methods*
Cytodiagnosis / methods*
Humans
Immunohistochemistry / methods*
In Situ Hybridization / methods*
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods
Practice Guidelines as Topic