Pathology

Cytology

The Cytology laboratory provides the interpretation of gynecological and non-gynecological specimens using modern, state-of-the-art methods and instrumentation. Synergy has a team of board-certified cytopathologists and anatomic pathologists with experienced cytotechnologists who work together to diagnose every sample accurately. Diagnostic criteria and reporting terminology are kept current based on the latest standard of care. Our CAP-accredited laboratory adheres to regulatory protocols for quality control and quality improvement to ensure consistent, accurate results.

Cytology refers to a branch of pathology, the medical specialty that deals with making diagnoses of diseases and conditions by examining tissue samples from the body. Cytologic examinations may be performed on body fluids (examples are blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid) or on material that is aspirated (drawn out via suction into a syringe) from the body. Cytology can also involve examinations of scraped or washed (irrigated with a sterile solution) from specific areas of the body. For example, a typical example of diagnostic cytology is evaluating cervical smears (referred to as the Papanicolaou test or Pap smear). For the cytologic evaluation to be carried out, the material to be examined is spread onto glass slides and stained. A pathologist then uses a microscope to analyze the individual cells in the sample.

Non-Gynecological Specimen Tests:

  • Body Cavity Fluids/Effusions, and other fluids

  • Body cavity fluids, Cellblock

  • Cyst fluids

  • Cerebrospinal fluid

  • Bladder Washings

  • Urines

  • Breast nipple secretions

  • Bronchial brushings

  • Bronchial Washings and Lavages

  • Broncho-alveolar lavages, special stains for pneumocystis & fungal organisms

  • Broncho-alveolar lavages, special stains for lipid-laden and hemosiderin laden macrophages

  • Sputum

  • Esophageal & gastric brushings

  • Esophageal brushing for Candida

  • Tzanck prep, skin scraping for Herpes viral inclusions

  • Joint/synovial fluids

  • Pelvic Washings

  • Fine Needle Aspiration

Women’s Cervical Cancer Screening Tests:

  • Liquid-based cytology, ThinPrep

  • Conventional cytology

  • Cytology with computer assist

  • Cytology with reflex to high-risk HPV (recommended by ACOG for evaluating ASC-US)

  • Cytology + high-risk HPV cotesting (recommended in patients age 30 & older)

  • High-risk HPV, Hologic Panther Aptima mRNA

  • HPV 16 18/45 Genotype, Aptima mRNA

Women’s Health, Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing:

  • Chlamydia Trachomatis, Aptima rRNA

  • Neisseria gonorrhea, Aptima rRNA

  • Trichomonas vaginalis, Aptima rRNA

  • Leukorrhea Panel (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas)

Histology

Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues.

The Histology laboratory is responsible for transferring patient tissue onto slides so our board-certified pathologists can read them.

We perform routine histology and special stains, IHC, and ISH on-site, which allows us to complete cases with reduced turnaround times. The histology lab has state-of-the-art equipment used by our highly trained professionals to ensure that our slides are of the highest quality. We are constantly updating our capabilities to ensure that our patients have access to the most current technologies as they become available.

Molecular Pathology

Molecular pathology is commonly used in the diagnosis of cancer and infectious diseases.

Molecular pathology is a subspecialty of pathology that utilizes molecular and genetic approaches in the diagnosis and classification of human diseases, the identification of predictive and prognostic biomarkers for treatment response and disease progressions, as well as the title of individuals who may possess an increased susceptibility to certain diseases such as cancer.

Techniques are numerous but include quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), multiplex PCR, DNA microarray, in situ hybridization, DNA sequencing, antibody-based immunofluorescence tissue assays, molecular profiling of pathogens, and analysis of bacterial genes for antimicrobial resistance.

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