Pitfalls in Immunocytochemistry

The interpretation of the immunocytochemical reactions used in diagnostic cytopathology must be done correctly, because technical artifacts, false-positive or false-negative results, and interpretative errors can lead to incorrect diagnoses. The main sources of technical artifacts lie in the pre-analytic phase (collection of the cytologic sample, preparation of the specimens, staining) and only in part to poor performance of immunocytochemical reactions. Some pitfalls are due to incorrect interpretation of immunostaining, caused by rapid and superficial evaluation of the stain or poor interpretive knowledge.