cytospins

Cytospin is a laboratory preparation technique that uses cytocentrifugation to deposit cells from a small or dilute sample onto a defined area of a glass slide, creating a thin, uniform monolayer suitable for microscopic examination. The method is especially useful when cell numbers are low or unevenly distributed, enabling clearer evaluation of individual cell morphology.

The technique employs a cytospin device with a chamber that holds the liquid specimen and a mounting slide. During centrifugation, cells are gently forced onto the slide and concentrated in a small area, often in a fixative or buffer. After spinning, the slides are typically air-dried or fixed with methanol and then stained using standard cytology stains such as Papanicolaou, Diff-Quik, or May-Grünwald-Giemsa for morphological assessment.

Cytospin is widely used for preparing cells from body fluids (for example cerebrospinal, pleural, peritoneal, or synovial fluids), urine sediments with low cell counts, and other samples like bone marrow aspirates or sputum. It is valuable for detecting malignant cells, identifying infectious organisms, and performing differential cell counts when conventional smears are insufficient due to scant cellularity.

Advantages of cytospin include rapid concentration of cells, preservation of individual cell morphology, and the production of a monolayer suitable for accurate assessment. Limitations include the need for specialized equipment and consumables, potential loss or distortion of fragile cells, and the possibility of artifacts if improperly prepared. Proper fixation, staining, and quality control are essential for reliable interpretation.