The Development of Sayk's Cell Sedimentation Chamber: A Historical View on Clinical Cerebrospinal Fluid Diagnostics.

OBJECTIVE: The history of Sayk's cell sedimentation chamber is examined and reviewed in the context of clinically utilizable cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology. METHODS: A review of the literature was undertaken in PubMed and Google Scholar to search for primary and secondary sources on the history of CSF diagnosis. Moreover, documents in the archives of the Universities of Rostock and Jena, the Brain Research Institute of Cécile and Oskar Vogt in Düsseldorf and the Centre for Neurology at Rostock University were used. RESULTS: The cell sedimentation chamber, developed by Johannes Sayk (1923-2005) at the beginning of the 1950s, enabled, for the first time, CSF cells to be presented with a quality comparable to the blood profile, with a low technological expenditure and using all staining methods suitable for haematological cells. The procedure could be performed quickly and cost efficiently, and therefore, it was easy to integrate it into clinical routine and it quickly became a widely used procedure. In Europe, it was considered the standard method for cytodiagnosis of CSF until the 1990s. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure revolutionised CSF diagnostics and paved the way for modern qualitative CSF cytology. In course of time, the cell sedimentation chamber was superseded by the cytocentrifuge.

50 years after the death of George Nicholas Papanicolaou (1883-1962): evaluation of his scientific work.

The purpose of this review article is to summarise the scientific work of George Nicholas Papanicolaou, one of the most eminent figures in the 20th century history of clinical cytology and medicine. Fifty years after his death, his work still remains invaluable, from the early steps in biology and zoology to the application of the Pap test as the most important advancement in the prevention of cervical cancer. The publication of his Atlas was the first important step for the foundation of a new branch in medicine, that of exfoliative cytology. His contribution to cytology undoubtedly earned him the title of the "father of exfoliative cytology" and saved the lives of many women worldwide.

Pioneers of exfoliative cytology in the 19th century: the predecessors of George Papanicolaou.

The purpose of our study was to summarize the knowledge on exfoliative cytology during the 19th century and to track down Papanicolaou's predecessors. A thorough study of texts, medical books and reports, together with a review of the available literature in PubMed, was undertaken. The study of cytological preparations as a diagnostic procedure can be traced back to the work of the famous French microscopist Alfred François Donné. However, the systematic study and the criteria for the diagnosis of malignant cells should be attributed to Johannes Müller. The increasing interest in the cytological examination of various fluids of the human body can be confirmed by a plethora of studies published during this period. By the end of the 19th century, the invention of new techniques in pathology, such as the introduction of cell block techniques, tissue sections and new staining methods which provided the opportunity to study surgical specimens in three dimensions, led to a decrease in the interest in exfoliative cytology, which was re-discovered by George Papanicolaou almost three decades later.

A brief chronicle of cytology: from Janssen to Papanicolaou and beyond.

The aim of our study was to outline and present the major hallmarks in the history of clinical cytology. For this purpose, an extensive research in modern literature and the PubMed database was undertaken. Furthermore, we studied original papers and books of the pioneers in cytopathology. The development of the first microscope by Hans and Sacharias Janssen is a hallmark in biological sciences, since the study of microcosmos was made feasible. From the discovery of single cells by Robert Hooke and the cell theory by Schleiden and Schwann till the establishment of exfoliative cytology by George Papanicolaou and the invention of fine-needle aspiration biopsy technique by Martin and Ellis, there is a three-century continuum of important discoveries and research. Today, flow cytometry and the introduction of molecular techniques have revolutionized medicine and are expected to change the face of cytology in the near future.

Romanowsky staining in cytopathology: history, advantages and limitations.

If the entire discipline of diagnostic cytopathology could be distilled into a single theme, it would be the Papanicolaou stain. Yet it was the Romanowsky stain upon which the discipline of cytopathology was founded. Both stains are used today in the cytopathology laboratory, each for a different and complementary purpose. We trace the history of cytopathological stains and discuss the advantages and limitations of Romanowsky-type stains for cytological evaluation. We also provide suggestions for the advantageous use of Romanowsky-type stains in cytopathology.

[Recollections of the development of clinical cytology at Merkur University Hospital]. / Sjecanja na razvoj klinicke citologije u Klinickoj bolnici Merkur.

My recollections of the development of clinical cytology at Merkur University Hospital cover a 30-year period, from 1955 to 1985, and succession of generations. The beginning is always exciting, pervaded by youthful enthusiasm, while memories are quite nostalgic. That is how I also felt at the "Ruzdic's" medical biochemistry laboratory. The founders of clinical cytology at Merkur University Hospital were the clinicians Erik Hauptmann (hematologist), Zdenko Skrabalo (endocrinologist) and Zvonimir Singer (gynecologist, cytogeneticist), with great contribution by Ibrahim Ruzdic (biochemist). As the first head of cytology laboratory at University Department of Medicine, I realized what was crucial for such a successful development of clinical cytology at our Hospital; it was so because new technologies were continuously introduced in agreement with clinicians, along with the basic routine cytodiagnosis, while paying special attention to staff education (postgraduate study in clinical cytology since 1967; residency in cytology since 1974; education of cytotechnologists since 1968). A number of MS theses and doctoral dissertations have been defended at our cytology laboratories. The Section of Cytology (now Croatian Society of Clinical Cytologists, Croatian Medical Association) was founded in 1970, owing to the efforts invested by E. Hauptmann. Clinical cytologists from Merkur University Hospital contributed to the foundation of the Association of Clinical Cytologists of the then Yugoslavia and organized their first congress in 1979; in 1972, we were adopted members of the EFCS, while Z. Singer and I. Crepinko are IAC members. I wish that written memories help remember the foundation and development of clinical cytology at Merkur University Hospital because we should not forget that every future has its origin.

[Postgraduate study in clinical cytology since 1967--foundation and impact on the development of cytology in Croatia]. / Poslijediplomski studij iz klinicke citologije od 1967. godine do danas--razlozi osnivanja i utjecaj na daljnji razvoj citologije u Hrvatskoj.

In Croatia, clinicians were the first to introduce clinical cytology in the first half of the 20th century. At that time, Beata Brauzil introduced morphological diagnosis in hematology and educated a critical number of clinicians and other enthusiasts interested in cytology. Following the 1963 World Health Organization guidelines on the value of cytodiagnosis in the early detection of cancer and the need of respective education in cytology of medical students, clinicians, pathologists and other professionals, Erik Hauptmann, an internist (as the first head) and Ante Zimolo, a pathologist, initiated foundation of the Postgraduate Study in Medical/Clinical Cytology (PSMCC) in 1967. The study curriculum has since been revised twice, i.e. in 1996 with the introduction of professional studies and in 2005 as a specialist study. During the 40 years of its existence, 31 postgraduate studies have been organized, with 407 students enrolled, 380 students that completed the study and 119 students having acquired the MS degree. The efforts invested by the PSMCC students and lecturers contributed to the development of clinical cytology. The Section of Cytology and Cytodiagnosis (now Croatian Society of Clinical Cytology) of the Croatian Medical Association was founded in 1970. However, the good theoretical basis provided by PSMCC but inadequate practical work pointed to the need of the respective residency, founded in 1974. Then, PSMCC became an integral part of residency in clinical cytology. In the scope of the Croatia's pursuit of EU membership, the Task Force for Cytology of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Republic of Croatia has prepared the Residency Curriculum Proposal within the frame of clinical morphology professions with a common basis and directed towards cytopathology. In 1968, only one year of the PSMCC foundation, Inga Crepinko organized the first form of additional training for cytotechnicians. Accordingly, the foundation of PSMCC had driven a number of factors that have resulted in 48 units of clinical cytology currently active in 21 Croatian towns, employing 128 clinical cytologists, 13 other specialists and 122 cytotechnologists.