IDEXX Digital Cytology

Fine needle aspiration and nonaspiration

• Use for skin/subcutaneous masses, lymph nodes, and internal organs.
• Select the technique best suited for the tissue to avoid cell lysis or excessive blood.
• Use 22-gauge needles, which work well for most tissue types.

Blood films

• Use fresh, well-mixed anticoagulated blood to avoid specimen deterioration.
• Maintain an approximate 30° angle between the spreader and specimen slide throughout.
• Spread the specimen in one smooth, steady motion.

Line smears

• Use for body cavity effusions, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)/tracheal lavage,
and joint fluid.
• Include a direct smear; use an additional line smear for specimens with low cellularity or suspected infectious agents. If needed, use a squash prep for flocculent material.
• Submit a buffy coat and a direct film for specimens with large blood content.

Urine sediment

• Use 5 mL of fresh, well-mixed, centrifuged urine (set centrifuge to urine/400 x g).
• Maintain an approximate 30°–40° angle between the spreader and specimen slide.
• Spread the specimen halfway down the slide; stop abruptly to create a line.

​​​​​​Step 1. Dip in fixative
 

Step 2. Dip in red stain
 

​​​​​​Step 3. Dip in blue stain

Step 4. Dip in water
 

​​​​​Step 5. Dip in water
 

For in-depth instruction and CE credit at the IDEXX Learning Center:

Preparing slides reference guide

How to stain slides for IDEXX Digital Cytology

How to stain slides for IDEXX Digital Cytology

To obtain a clinically relevant interpretation of the lesion, scan only slides that are representative of the lesion and are of good quality and cellularity.

To select your best slides:

• Check for even staining and visible material “blue to purple.”
• Inspect for intact cells by microscope or by reviewing the scanned image.

1. Secure a stained slide into the slide tray.
2. Gently insert the tray into the instrument.
3. Scan, review the images, and select 1–2 slides that are in focus and adequately represent the specimen.

How to submit slides to IDEXX Reference Laboratories

How to submit slides to IDEXX Reference Laboratories (software version 1.0.3.39 or later)

Choosing the best slides to submit for pathology review

How to digitally submit slides with software version 1.0.3.39 or later

1. Use the add-on code in your pathology report.
2. Add the order to the requisition for the patient.
3. Scan, review, and submit 1–2 new images.
    

How to resubmit a digital cytology slide to IDEXX Reference Laboratories

Whole-slide imaging takes advantage of recent advances in digital technology, such as computer processing, software, data transfer speeds, and cloud storage, to enable pathologists to examine specimens as if they were looking through your microscope. Unlike microscope cameras that acquire images of a portion of a slide, whole-slide imaging captures high-resolution images of the entire slide. This reduces the risk of missing a critical area of interest by enabling the entire diagnostic yield to be assessed by the pathologist.

IDEXX employs over 270 full-time pathologists to support global pathology testing. Our pathologists come from world-class veterinary universities from around the world.

Learn more about our pathology team.

The instrument does leverage artificial intelligence to recognize the slide and provide a recommendation for the area of interest for image scanning. It does not interpret the cells on the slide. The digital image is sent to an IDEXX pathologist, who then assesses and provides interpretation via a report with images.

You will receive your results within 2 hours of order status showing “At the lab” on VetConnect PLUS. The results will be integrated into the patient record and can be accessed via your practice management system or through VetConnect PLUS.

No, to provide all customers with results in 2 hours or less, we cannot direct cases to specific pathologists. Doing so would delay the receipt of reports with results and interpretations. What you can do is discuss your case with the pathologist dedicated to working with you from start to finish. You can access that pathologist directly via phone and email.

The following specimen types can be submitted:

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) or impression smears from solid tissue:

• Lymph nodes
• Skin/subcutaneous masses
• Internal organs (e.g., spleen, liver, prostate, intestine, lung, kidney, bone, pancreas, mediastinum)

Fluids:

• Body cavity effusions:
  • Abdominal fluid
  • Pericardial fluid
  • Pleural fluid
• Joint fluid

Blood films
Urine sediment (dry mount)
Tracheal/bronchoalveolar (BAL) wash
Vaginal smears

Note: Cytologic evaluation of tracheal/bronchoalveolar (BAL) wash may be ordered as a cytology only (without fluid analysis).

Specimen types NOT suitable:

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
• Bone marrow
• Any specimens with suspect bacterial/infectious agent
• Wet mount urine sediment
• Acetate tape impressions
• Fecal smears

In the event a digital image cannot be interpreted by an IDEXX pathologist, customers will have the option to submit their slides to IDEXX via traditional methods by sending their slides to IDEXX Reference Laboratories.

Use the power switch on the back of the instrument to turn the power off and then on. Make sure that the instrument has been powered on for 20 seconds before restarting the IDEXX Digital Cytology computer. Turn on the computer using the power button in the lower-right corner of the monitor. IDEXX recommends shutting down and restarting the IDEXX Digital Cytology instrument and its computer at least once per week.

If you notice changes in image quality or see visible debris or particles when using the software to preview images, the instrument camera lens or specimen area may need to be cleaned. Simply call customer support at 1-800-248-2483 and a specialist will walk you through the process.

Visit the IDEXX Learning Center for a host of complimentary educational resources. You can take a CE-accredited course or watch short video clips from the course focused on specific topics. Whatever approach you choose, we’ll help you learn:

• How to prepare pathology slides for specific specimen types.
• Different slide preparation techniques and when to use them.
• How to submit slides.
• How to use the IDEXX Digital Cytology instrument.