Cell block processing is optimal for assessing endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration specimens of pancreatic mucinous cysts.

Cell block preparations are as likely to identify mucin from pancreatic MCLs as macroscopic assessment but are twice as likely to diagnose MCL than direct smears and fluid CEA biochemistry. The cell block technique is easy for sample collection and processing especially because these are identical for solid and cystic pancreatic lesions.