Vital Staining Methods and Quick Stains

Abstract

In certain situations the cytologist wants to have a first impression of the cell sample taken, or a preliminary diagnosis is desired by the patient and/or clinician. The first is important in aspiration cytology, to check whether the lesion or organ is aspirated and whether the sample contains diag-nostic cells. A preliminary diagnosis of an aspirate is necessary in order to plan further investigation or an operation. In the latter circumstance, it takes the place, or is applied in conjunction with, frozen-section histology (Pickren and Burke, 1963). In both instances, it is important that the cell sample be ready for microscopy soon after it is taken. Thus short staining and, if fixing is needed, short fixing times are extremely important. Since a refined diagnosis is not needed here, a compromise in visual quality, in order to meet the desired time limits, is acceptable.