Application of intelligent cell block system

GUO Jingwei; WEI Li; YU Yankun; ZHENG Yuqin; JIA Wei

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-8096.2025.12.010

Abstract：Objective To explore the application value of the intelligent cell block system in preparing cell blocks from pleural effusion and peritoneal effusion.Methods Pleural and peritoneal effusion samples were collected to compare the hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining quality of the intelligent cell block system at different rotational speeds.Cell blocks were prepared from samples of the same source using the traditional centrifugal precipitation method and the intelligent cell block system,and their HE staining results were compared.The excellence rates of cell blocks prepared by the two methods were compared.Pleural and peritoneal effusion samples from patients with lung adenocarcinoma and ovarian serous carcinoma were selected,cell blocks were prepared by both methods,and HE staining,immunohistochemical(IHC)staining,as well as genetic testing for 10 gene mutations in the blocks of lung adenocarcinoma patients were performed to evaluate the efficacy of cell block preparation.Results When the intelligent cell block system was operated at 3000 r/min for preparing pleural and peritoneal effusion cell blocks,HE staining showed characteristics of uniform sheet-like cell distribution,well-preserved morphology,and moderate cell quantity under medium-power microscope.Cell blocks prepared by the intelligent cell block system showed minimal cell damage,distinct morphology,and ease of observation in HE staining.The excellence rates of cell blocks prepared by the traditional centrifugal precipitation method versus the intelligent system were 30%vs.90%for pleural effusion and 40%vs.90%for peritoneal effusion,respectively,showing statistically significant differences(P＜0.001).Compared with the traditional centrifugal precipitation method,pleural and peritoneal effusion cell blocks from lung adenocarcinoma and ovarian serous carcinoma patients prepared by the intelligent cell block system showed accurate positive localization,moderate staining intensity,and no non-specific staining in IHC staining;there was no statistically significant difference in the detection rates of 10 gene mutations in pleural effusion cell blocks of lung adenocarcinoma patients between the two methods.Conclusion The intelligent cell block system exhibits a high excellence rate in preparing pleural and peritoneal effusion cell blocks.Both the HE staining and IHC staining quality of cell blocks prepared by the intelligent system are significantly superior to those of the traditional centrifugal precipitation method,demonstrating good diagnostic efficiency and warranting promotion in clinical practice and research.