Low power: Pap stain
Degenerated epithelial cells, macrophages, and acute inflamation
Medium power: Pap stain
Degenerated epithelial cells, macrophages, numerous crystals in a background of acute inflammation
Medium power: Pap stain
Abundant bacteria in a background of degenerated epithelial cells
Features
Architecture
• Predominantly degenerated cells
• Cells resemble macrophages
Note: Important to screen for malignant urothelial cells
Cellular features
• Degenerative changes
• May have red inclusions in cytoplasm
• Vacuolated cytoplasm
Nuclear features
• May have pyknotic nuclei
Background
• Degenerative and dirty
• May have inflammation
• May have bacteria
• Cellular debris present
Reference
Cimino-Mathews A et al. Acta Cytol. 2011;55(5):449-54.
Malmgren RA et al. Acta Cytol. 1971 Sep-Oct;15(5):506-9.