View abstract

This abstract is assigned to session BRS - BIO

Title

Analysis of vitreoretinal samples by the Cellient automated cell block system: a six-year review of uveitis specimens

Purpose	A new and standardized method to sample and analyse vitreous samples by use of the Cellient automated cell block system was described in 2014. A follow-up study was conducted to further assess the contribution of this vitreous cytologic evaluation to the diagnosis of difficult uveitis cases. Handling of retina and choroidal biopsies and subretinal fluid specimens was also evaluated
Methods	All ocular specimens obtained between 2012 and 2018 were fixed in PreservCyt and processed by use of the Cellient tissue. In this prospective study, we included a total of 725 vitreous, chorioretinal and subretinal fluid samples from undiagnosed uveitis patients
Results	In 86,5% of the cases, sufficient material was found for diagnosis. The diagnosis of an acute inflammation was made in 18,9%;chronic active inflammation (presence of T lymphocytes) In 32,3%,; low-grade inflammation (presence of CD68 cells, without T lymphocytes)in 26,5%, and in 8,8%, a malignant process. Of the 13,5% of cases where a diagnosis could not be made, only 4,7% was attributed to failure of the technique
Conclusion	We report on the largest database of vitreoretinal samples processed by the Cellient automated cell block system. Our standardized protocol for sampling and handling vitreoretinal biopsies, fixing in PreservCyt and processing by the Cellient continues to give a satisfactory result in morphology, number of cells and possibility of immuno-histochemical stainings. Cytologic analysis of vitreoretinal specimens could establish or confirm a diagnosis in 86,5% of difficult uveitis cases
Conflict of interest	No

Authors 1

Last name	VAN GINDERDEUREN
Initials	R
Department	oogziekten UZLeuven
City	Leuven

Authors 2

Last name	Jacobs
Initials	T
Department	oogziekten UZLeuven
City	Leuven

Authors 3

Last name	Van Calster
Initials	J
Department	oogziekten UZLeuven
City	Leuven