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
Which reactive change on a Pap smear is caused by intrauterine device (IUD) use?
Answer: Cells with vacuolated cytoplasm mimicking clean atypical glandular cells
IUD effect produces vacuolated cell clusters that can mimic atypical glandular cells or even carcinoma.
Ground-glass intranuclear inclusions with multinucleation and nuclear molding on a Tzanck or Pap smear indicate which infection?
Answer: Herpes simplex virus
The '3 M's' — multinucleation, molding, and margination (ground-glass) — indicate herpes simplex.
On a Pap smear, koilocytes with perinuclear halos and raisinoid nuclei are the cytologic signature of which infection?
Answer: Human papillomavirus (LSIL)
Koilocytosis with perinuclear halos and wrinkled raisinoid nuclei is the hallmark of HPV cytopathic effect.
A cyst fluid FNA of the pancreas showing thin, watery fluid with glycogen-rich cuboidal cells and low CEA favors which diagnosis?
Answer: Serous cystadenoma
Low CEA with glycogen-rich cuboidal cells indicates a benign serous cystadenoma.
Which feature on FNA best supports a diagnosis of granulomatous inflammation?
Answer: Epithelioid histiocytes with elongated curved nuclei and multinucleated giant cells
Epithelioid histiocytes with curved 'footprint' nuclei and giant cells indicate granulomatous inflammation.
Which sampling error most commonly causes a false-negative FNA result?
Answer: Missing the lesion and aspirating adjacent benign tissue
Geographic miss of the target lesion is a leading cause of false-negative aspirates.
On effusion cytology, psammoma bodies with papillary clusters of atypical cells most suggest metastasis from which primary?
Answer: Serous ovarian carcinoma
Psammoma bodies within papillary groups are characteristic of serous (ovarian/Müllerian) carcinoma.