Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine

Original Articles

Modified plasma-thrombin method using patient-derived plasma for cell block preparation in endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial fine-needle aspiration: Xizhe Zhang, Chunli Tang, Yingying Gu, Zeyun Lin, Shiqi Tang, Anzi Tan, Mengshi Li, Zhucheng Chen, Yuying Chen, Shi-yue Li, Juhong Jiang; J Pathol Transl Med. 2025;59(6):434-443. Published online November 11, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2025.08.20

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Abstract PDF: Background
The plasma-thrombin method, which uses expired blood bank plasma as an ancillary component, has been widely used in cell block (CB) preparation. However, the application of expired blood bank plasma raises concerns about nucleic acid contamination. This study investigated the feasibility of using patient-derived plasma as a substitute for blood bank plasma in the modified plasma-thrombin (MPT) method for CB preparation in endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) samples. Methods: A prospective study was conducted to compare the adequacy of CB preparation between a previously used self-clotting (SC) method and the MPT method. The EBUS-TBNA specimens from each targeted lesion were divided into paired samples: one processed using the SC method and the other using the MPT method, substituting the blood bank plasma with patient-derived plasma. Results: A total of 82 paired EBUS-TBNA samples from 59 patients were analyzed. The diagnostic yield of the SC method and the MPT method was 86.6% and 97.6%, respectively. Among patients diagnosed with non–small cell lung cancer, the adequacy rate for molecular testing was 79.2% with the SC method and 91.7% with the MPT method. Conclusions: The MPT method significantly improved the cellular yield of EBUS-TBNA–derived CBs. Using patient-derived fresh plasma rather than expired blood bank plasma avoids a known contamination risk. The additional step modestly prolongs the procedure and introduces minimal risks by vein puncture. This approach is generally considered cost-effective.

Comparison of Conventional Smear, Cell Block and Liquid-based Preparation in the Evaluation of Bronchial Washing Specimen in Lung Cancer Patients.: Hyunee Yim, Hee Jae Joo, Young Bae Kim, Soon Won Hong; Korean J Pathol. 2011;45(3):296-302.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2011.45.3.296

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BACKGROUND
The preparation of conventional smears (CS) from mucoid samples, despite mucolysis, can pose difficulties for cytotechnologists or cytopathologists. In recent years, liquid-based cytology (LBC) devices have been developed in attempts to improve the cytopreparation process. LBC improves both sample collection and sample preparation. Cell block preparations (CB) can be made from residual tissue fluids, and are a useful adjunct to smears.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 3 preparations from 209 patients whose diagnosis was later confirmed via bronchoscopic biopsy, fine needle aspiration, gun biopsy or operation. Each case was categorized into one of three groups: "negative," "atypical or suspicious" and "malignant." RESULTS: When conflating the "atypical" and "malignant" categories into a "positive" category, the sensitivity of each preparation was 74.4% in LBC, 72.9% in CS, and 76.5% in CB preparations. Specificity was 98.7%, 94.7% and 98.7%, respectively. By combining LBC and CB, the sensitivity is 78.2%.
CONCLUSIONS
Among three different preparation methods, sensitivity is highest in the CB method. LBC has many advantages in evaluating cell morphology and by combining CB method, the sensitivity can be improved slightly. The application of all three methods may prove helpful when one or another method proves diagnostically inconclusive.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy between CellprepPlus® and ThinPrep® liquid‐based preparations in effusion cytology
Yong‐Moon Lee, Ji‐Yong Hwang, Seung‐Myoung Son, Song‐Yi Choi, Ho‐Chang Lee, Eun‐Joong Kim, Hye‐Suk Han, Jin young An, Joung‐Ho Han, Ok‐Jun Lee
Diagnostic Cytopathology.2014; 42(5): 384. CrossRef
Evaluation of Urine Cytology in Urothelial Carcinoma Patients: A Comparison of CellprepPlus® Liquid-Based Cytology and Conventional Smear
Seung-Myoung Son, Ji Hae Koo, Song-Yi Choi, Ho-Chang Lee, Yong-Moon Lee, Hyung Geun Song, Hae-Kyung Hwang, Hye-Suk Han, Seok-Joong Yun, Wun-Jae Kim, Eun-Joong Kim, Ok-Jun Lee
Korean Journal of Pathology.2012; 46(1): 68. CrossRef

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