Cytopathology Flashcards
7 cards from real ABPATH practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cytopathology flashcards as text
On a cervical Pap smear, which cellular feature is most characteristic of a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL)?
Answer: Increased nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio with hyperchromasia
HSIL cells show markedly increased nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, hyperchromasia, and irregular nuclear contours.
A thyroid FNA shows follicular cells with nuclear grooves, powdery chromatin, and intranuclear pseudoinclusions. Which diagnosis is most likely?
Answer: Papillary thyroid carcinoma
Nuclear grooves, pale powdery chromatin, and intranuclear pseudoinclusions are hallmarks of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Which Bethesda System category for thyroid cytology carries the highest risk of malignancy?
Answer: Malignant (Category VI)
Category VI (Malignant) has the highest malignancy risk, approaching 97-99%.
In a serous effusion, which feature best distinguishes reactive mesothelial cells from adenocarcinoma cells?
Answer: Windows (spaces) between adjacent mesothelial cells
Intercellular windows created by microvilli are characteristic of benign mesothelial cells.
Which immunostain is most useful to confirm mesothelial origin of cells in an effusion?
Answer: Calretinin
Calretinin is a sensitive and specific marker of mesothelial differentiation.
A urine cytology specimen shows cells with high N/C ratio, hyperchromatic irregular nuclei, and coarse chromatin. This best fits which Paris System category?
Answer: High-grade urothelial carcinoma
High N/C ratio with hyperchromasia and coarse chromatin defines high-grade urothelial carcinoma in the Paris System.
Which artifact commonly causes air-drying changes on cytology smears?
Answer: Delayed fixation of the smear
Air-drying occurs when smears are not promptly fixed, causing nuclear enlargement and loss of detail.