“Splat” or “spray” smear of a lymph node aspirate from a cat: With this type of smear, the aspirate is sprayed onto the slide forming thick bloody droplets (unlabeled image and low power stained image). When the droplets are examined under higher power (stained high power image), the cells are smudged (lack intact cytoplasmic borders) and are packed in together. The lack of cell spreading hinders differentiation of large from small lymphocytes. It is difficult to make a diagnosis from these smears because of the thickness of the smear, disruption of cells, and lack of cell spreading (Diff-quik stain).
