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RUSSELL A. LANGLEY, M.B., B.S., D.D.M.

AMA Arch Derm. 1956;74(4):416-423.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

Cytodiagnostic smears from cutaneous lesions can be a valuable aid to diagnosis. Standard histological sections show the architectural patterns of disease, while cytodiagnostic smears show the exact cell types participating in the disease process. It may be said that histology examines the "house," while cytology examines the "bricks." Cytodiagnosis can therefore be diagnostic in those skin diseases characterized either by a grossly excessive number of normal cells (as in basal-cell carcinoma or urticaria pigmentosa) or else by the presence of strictly abnormal cells (as in Bowen's disease or leukemia cutis).

The technique about to be described has been evolved in order to carry out the entire test in 10 to 15 minutes. Cytodiagnosis thus becomes a practical office procedure.

Obtaining the Specimen

Surface scrapings can be taken from erosions and ulcers. Crusts, pus, debris, and medicaments are first removed by swabbing with isotonic saline, and the cleansed . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
Melbourne, Australia

Footnotes
Submitted for publication July 25, 1955.

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