Purpose: There is a need for a reliable and cost-effective technique for processing of body fluids. Understanding of the wide range of reactive changes is essential for distinguishing benign from malignant cellular changes. In this study, a comparison of conventional smear, cytospin smear and cell block technique in analyzing cytology of body fluids is made. Methods: Fresh body fluid samples received was divided into three parts. The first part was processed by routine centrifugation, second part by cytospin and third part of the fluid was used to prepare cell block by alcohol formalin method. Cytological and histological evaluation of the prepared smears will be done. Results: Eighty body cavity fluid samples were evaluated. Cytospin smears showed clear background, high cellularity, better nuclear features and even distribution of cells. Conclusion: The cytospin smears are better when compared to conventional smears and cell block in analyzing body fluids.

Keywords: Cytospin; Conventional smears; Cell block; Body fluid.