Value of cytopathology in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases

International Conference on Cytopathology

August 31-September 02, 2015 Toronto, Canada

Qing Kay Li

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Cytol Histol

Abstract :

Although the cytology (cytopathology) was first used as a diagnostic tool in the lung disease in early 1900s, it is not until the 1960s that pulmonary cytology becomes a diagnostic discipline. Since then, tremendous improvements have been made due to the innovation of sample collection and preparation techniques. The commonly used respiratory specimens in clinical diagnosis include: sputum, bronchial brushing and washing, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), transbronchial fine needle aspiration (TBNA), endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial fine needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and transthoracic CT or ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA). The familiarity of cyto morphological features of respiratory cells and current techniques of obtaining samples are crucial to make an accurate diagnosis. Similar to other type of non-gynecologic cytological specimens, the diagnoses of respiratory diseases are typically made based on the cyto morphological evaluation of respiratory cells. In addition, an explanation note of the diagnosis is often used in the report at our institution to report immunohistochemical and molecular results and also provide suggestions to our clinical colleagues if necessary. In this presentation, we will discuss the cyto morphological findings of both benign and malignant respiratory diseases and the differential diagnosis of lung cancers.

Biography :

Qing Kay Li is an internationally recognized expert in the field of cytopathology and Co-PI in Johns Hopkins Biomarker Discovery Center. She provides diagnostic service at Johns Hopkins and Conducts Research in the field of novel biomarkers in lung and prostate cancers. Her research has been presented at many national/international meetings. She also serves as Editorial Board Member for several journals, committee member of the American Society of Cytopathology and study sections of government agents and private organizations. She has more than 70 publications and book chapters. She is also the Editor of “Diagnostic Cytopathology Board Review and Self-Assessment”.

Email: qli23@jhmi.edu