can smudge cells be normal?
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Many different scenarios can lead to smudge cells on a slide, but because the presence of smudge cells traditionally implies CLL, it is not currently standard practice in the United States to report smudge cells in any context other than CLL, and then usually only as “present,” without quantitation or grading.
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When your doctor says that your Pap test, or Pap smear, was abnormal, it means that the test found some cells on your cervix that do not look normal. A Pap test may be done as part of a woman's routine physical exam, because it's the best way to prevent cervical cancer.
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A small number of women have moderate or severe changes to the cells on their cervix. This is called high-grade dyskaryosis. These changes are also pre-cancerous in nature. The majority of cases do not lead to cancer of the cervix in the future. These changes are less likely to return to normal on their own.
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It is possible that most lesions currently reported as atypical melanocytic proliferation (AIMP or SAMPUS) are in fact benign, and that their significance lies in the potential pitfall for overdiagnosis of malignant melanoma.
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After a simple biopsy, you may rest for a few minutes after the procedure before going home. You may want to wear a sanitary pad for bleeding. It is normal to have some mild cramping, spotting, and dark or black-colored discharge for several days.
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A sample of vaginal discharge is checked for bacteria, white blood cells, and unusual cells called clue cells. If clue cells are present, it means you may have bacterial vaginosis. Whiff test. A sample of discharge is checked to see if a strong fishy odor is created when a special solution is added.
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Vaginal discharge is most often a normal and regular occurrence. However, there are certain types of discharge that can indicate an infection. Abnormal discharge may be yellow or green, chunky in consistency, or foul smelling. Yeast or a bacterial infection usually causes abnormal discharge.
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The potassium hydroxide destroys the healthy skin cells, leaving behind only fungal cells. Normal results of a KOH test will show no fungi present, while abnormal results will tell your doctor that you may have a fungal infection.
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A WBC count can be estimated (with practice) when scanning across the smear (feathered edge through monolayer through body of smear). Check the feathered edge: Look for platelet clumps, large cells or infectious agents.
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If you have a scab, it's considered normal to see it change into a yellowish color over time. This is completely normal and is the result of the hemoglobin from red blood cells in the scab being broken down and washed away.
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large amounts of cells in a smear can cause staining artifacts because stain is not washed away by destaining agents or water. ... heat fixation causes cells to adhere to the slide during staining. However, structures such as capsules can undergo shrinkage during heat fixations and can be lost in staining procedures.
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Eukaryotic cells, such as yeast and human body cells, are generally smaller than bacterial cells. In terms of size, rank the following biological materials from the smallest to largest. Contrast, resolution, and magnification can be controlled by manipulating the actual microscope.
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If your Pap test is abnormal, this means that your sample contained abnormally shaped cervical cells. Most of the abnormal cells found during a Pap test are the result of a cervical or vaginal infection and are not cancerous. Abnormal Pap tests are very common.
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If a person appears pale, has enlarged lymph nodes, swollen gums, an enlarged liver or spleen, significant bruising, bleeding, fever, persistent infections, fatigue, or a small pinpoint rash, the doctor should suspect leukemia. A blood test showing an abnormal white cell count may suggest the diagnosis.
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The blood may be bright red or pink and frothy, or it may be mixed with mucus. Also known as hemoptysis (he-MOP-tih-sis), coughing up blood, even in small amounts, can be alarming. However, producing a little blood-tinged sputum isn't uncommon and usually isn't serious.
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Sputum smear microscopy allows a rapid and reliable identification of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) where there are more than 5000 bacilli/ml of sputum. If the sputum has less than 5000 bacilli/ml, smear microscopy is highly unlikely to diagnose PTB, thus has an overall low sensitivity for PTB1,2,3.
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Lymph nodes that are smooth and relatively soft, but slightly enlarged, may be normal and reveal only hyperplasia when biopsied. Enlarged lymph nodes that have an irregular shape and a rubbery, hard consistency may be infiltrated by malignant cells. Tender nodes are suggestive of an inflammatory process.