Surface scrapings

The following procedure should be observed when obtaining specimens from other sites including skin, vulva, and the oral cavity:

1. Label the slide with the patient’s full name (first and last), date of birth and sample collection site.
2. Scrape the involved area vigorously and smear sample on the slide. A vesicular lesion should be unroofed and its base scraped and smeared as above.
3. Apply fixative to the slide immediately.

For further information and consultation regarding aspiration from special sites and use of "non-aspirate" techniques of fine needle sampling procedures, please call one of our cytopathologists at (419) 255-4601 or (800) 281-8804.