Celina M. Nadelman, MD

Celina M. Nadelman, MD Fine Needle Aspiration Specialist. Fast, Accurate, Compassionate: A Superior Way to Biopsy like Dr. Nadelman.

Having performed over 12,000 FNAs, Dr. Nadelman is both a board certified pathologist and cytopathologist, able to:

1) perform the biopsy
2) immediately evaluate the biopsy
material in the adjoining lab

Having one of the highest rates of obtaining "diagnosable" samples on the first effort, virtually eliminating the need for repeat biopsies, there are only about a dozen specialists in the entire U.S.

  🔬 | Intervening Keratinizing Squamous Cells | A Closer Look at Diagnosis in ActionIn this case, the cellular smears sh...
03/23/2026

🔬 | Intervening Keratinizing Squamous Cells | A Closer Look at Diagnosis in Action

In this case, the cellular smears show enlarged squamous cells with striking orange cytoplasm. That orange hue is not incidental. It indicates keratinization, meaning the cells are producing keratin, the structural protein found in skin, hair, and nails.

On the left side of the image, there is a bluer, tightly cohesive group of cells with higher nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios. These cells appear more crowded, with larger nuclei relative to the amount of cytoplasm. Intervening between these groups are keratinizing squamous cells, adding another layer to the microscopic picture.

When evaluating squamous lesions, features such as keratinization, nuclear size, cellular cohesion, and background elements all help determine whether the process is reactive, precancerous, or malignant. Careful cytologic interpretation is essential because subtle differences can significantly change the diagnosis and subsequent management.

What do you notice first in these slides?

  🔬 | Melanoma | A Closer Look at Diagnosis in ActionA 61 year old man presented with a three month history of a mass on...
03/16/2026

🔬 | Melanoma | A Closer Look at Diagnosis in Action

A 61 year old man presented with a three month history of a mass on his upper thigh. During his initial visit to an internist, it was thought to be a lipoma, which is a common and typically benign fatty tumor. Lipomas are soft, mobile, and often harmless, so they are frequently observed rather than biopsied right away.

A Fine Needle Aspiration was performed to better understand what the mass truly represented.

Under the microscope, the cellular features told a very different story. Instead of benign fat cells, the sample revealed malignant cells consistent with melanoma. Melanoma can sometimes mimic other soft tissue masses clinically, especially when it presents outside of the typical skin lesion most people associate with it.

This case is a powerful reminder that not every soft tissue lump is benign, even when it appears clinically straightforward. Microscopic evaluation provides the clarity needed to guide appropriate treatment decisions early.

What factors would make you reconsider a presumed lipoma?

  🔬 | A Closer Look at Diagnosis in ActionIn this case, moderately cellular smears show tightly cohesive groups of macro...
02/23/2026

🔬 | A Closer Look at Diagnosis in Action

In this case, moderately cellular smears show tightly cohesive groups of macrophages alongside scattered single macrophages. There are also flat honeycomb sheets, staghorn, and papillary-like tissue fragments composed of mildly atypical epithelial cells.

These epithelial cells demonstrate high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios, small but distinct nucleoli, and relatively scant cytoplasm. Rare myoepithelial cells are intimately associated with the epithelial groups, and scattered naked nuclei are present in a background of old blood and cystic fluid.

What does this constellation of features suggest?

The overall pattern supports a proliferative breast lesion with mild atypia, which can include entities such as fibrocystic change, usual ductal hyperplasia, papillary lesions, or fibroadenomatosis. These findings are not outright malignant, but they are not entirely benign either. Careful cytologic interpretation and clinical correlation are essential to determine appropriate next steps.

Breast cytology often requires distinguishing subtle architectural and nuclear features that guide management decisions. This is where experience in both performing and interpreting FNA becomes especially important.

When looking at these images, what stands out to you first?

  🔬 | A Closer Look at Diagnosis in ActionThis patient presented with a slightly red mass on his back and was also found...
02/16/2026

🔬 | A Closer Look at Diagnosis in Action

This patient presented with a slightly red mass on his back and was also found to have a kidney mass. Because of the kidney tumor, there was concern that the back mass could represent metastatic disease. Chemotherapy was being considered.

Before treatment decisions were finalized, a Fine Needle Aspiration was performed on the back mass. Under the microscope, the slide was highly cellular. You can see predominantly purple cells with intervening blood and fat. The cells show vacuolated, bubbly cytoplasm and enlarged nuclei with visible nucleoli.

Here is where it becomes diagnostically challenging.

Renal cell carcinoma can look very similar under the microscope. The cytologic features overlap, and without careful evaluation and clinical correlation, the lesion could easily be interpreted as metastatic kidney cancer.

The mass was eventually excised, and the final diagnosis was sebaceous carcinoma, a rare malignant tumor arising from oil glands in the skin. This case highlights how critical tissue evaluation and stepwise diagnosis are before initiating systemic therapy.

Microscopy is not just about what cells look like. It is about asking the right questions before making life-altering treatment decisions.

What features stood out to you?

  🔬 | A Closer Look at Diagnosis in ActionA 25-year-old Asian man presented with several months of nasal congestion that...
01/06/2026

🔬 | A Closer Look at Diagnosis in Action

A 25-year-old Asian man presented with several months of nasal congestion that had been treated with over-the-counter remedies like nasal rinses. During an ENT visit, both a neck mass and a nasal mass were identified, prompting further evaluation.

Microscopic review of the lymph node sample revealed atypical dispersed cells with a few small clusters and clear anisonucleosis, meaning variation in nuclear size and shape. At this stage, the pattern raised concern for malignancies that often appear as single cells rather than organized groups, including lymphoma, sarcoma, melanoma, or a very poorly differentiated carcinoma.

Because lymphoma was a consideration, additional material was collected while the patient was still in the office for flow cytometry. When those results came back negative, further testing was performed using immunohistochemistry on the cell block, a concentrated preparation of cells that resembles tissue. The results were positive for carcinoma markers and EBV (Epstein–Barr virus), findings that point toward nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a high-grade cancer of the nose and pharynx.

This case highlights why immediate microscopic evaluation and step-by-step diagnostic testing matter. Each decision under the microscope directly shaped the next step in care and led to a clear diagnosis without delay.

🧠 What stood out to you in this case — the cell pattern, the testing sequence, or the role of EBV?

The Essential Role of Rapid On-Site Evaluation (ROSE) in Fine Needle AspirationAccuracy and speed are at the heart of ev...
12/05/2025

The Essential Role of Rapid On-Site Evaluation (ROSE) in Fine Needle Aspiration

Accuracy and speed are at the heart of every successful biopsy. When a patient discovers a lump or mass, they deserve fast answers and precise results that guide the right course of care. One diagnostic advancement that makes this possible is Rapid On-Site Evaluation, or ROSE.

At her cytopathology practice, Dr. Celina Nadelman, a board-certified interventional pathologist and Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) specialist, performs every biopsy and diagnostic review herself. Her expertise in ROSE sets her practice apart by delivering immediate results, higher diagnostic accuracy, and an improved patient experience.

Want a clearer look at how ROSE improves accuracy and speeds up diagnosis? Read the full blog for the complete explanation: https://bit.ly/4rrLBNW

Caring Over Compromise: A Letter and a Thank You from Dr. Celina Nadelman ✨Every once in a while, a simple act of kindne...
12/01/2025

Caring Over Compromise: A Letter and a Thank You from Dr. Celina Nadelman ✨

Every once in a while, a simple act of kindness reminds me why I chose this profession and why I am so committed to doing what I do every single day. Recently, I received a handwritten letter from two of my patients, Larry and Regina. Their words touched me deeply and reflected exactly what I strive for in my practice: caring over compromise.

Larry and Regina traveled from out of town for a Fine Needle Aspiration biopsy. They wrote about how my staff was able to schedule their visit within days and how smoothly the process went from start to finish. They described their experience as organized, kind, and efficient. Most importantly, they said they wished more doctors were like us.

Reading their note reminded me that healthcare should always be personal. Every patient deserves compassion, transparency, and fast, accurate answers about their health.

💌 Read my full letter to you here: https://bit.ly/3Y1GEhf

Finding the right specialist can make all the difference🌟As both a board-certified cytopathologist and diagnostic pathol...
10/27/2025

Finding the right specialist can make all the difference🌟

As both a board-certified cytopathologist and diagnostic pathologist, Dr. Nadelman brings a unique perspective to every biopsy, offering precision, comfort, and expertise from start to finish. Patients often highlight how smooth and nearly painless the process feels, thanks to her experience with ultrasound-guided techniques.

If you’ve been referred for a biopsy or have concerns about a thyroid nodule, lymph node, or salivary gland swelling, you deserve care that combines compassion with accuracy.

📲 Learn more about Dr. Nadelman’s approach at drnadelman.com.

Worried About Biopsy Costs? Here’s What You Should Know Before Scheduling 🗒️Dr. Nadelman’s clinic offers upfront answers...
10/13/2025

Worried About Biopsy Costs? Here’s What You Should Know Before Scheduling 🗒️

Dr. Nadelman’s clinic offers upfront answers and works with PPO and Medicare plans, no surprise billing or hospital fees.
The cost of a biopsy can vary widely depending on where it’s performed. At a hospital or large medical center, patients may face facility fees, separate radiology bills, and multi-provider charges, sometimes without understanding the total cost until after the procedure.

Dr. Nadelman’s clinic takes a different approach. Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) procedures are performed entirely in-office, and the clinic accepts Medicare and most PPO plans. Patients receive clear, upfront information about coverage and any out-of-pocket costs before the appointment is confirmed.

Because both the biopsy and pathology review are completed on-site, by the same physician. There are no lab handoffs or additional provider fees. The result is faster care, fewer billing surprises, and more clarity from start to finish.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Nadelman to get expert diagnostic care with clear billing and faster results. Visit https://drnadelman.com/ to learn more 🖥️

How Does Ultrasound Make a Biopsy More Accurate? 🔍Accuracy matters when performing a biopsy, especially for small or har...
10/06/2025

How Does Ultrasound Make a Biopsy More Accurate? 🔍

Accuracy matters when performing a biopsy, especially for small or hard-to-locate nodules. That’s why Dr. Nadelman uses ultrasound guidance during every Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) procedure.\

Ultrasound allows precise visualization of the nodule or lymph node in real time. This ensures the biopsy needle reaches the correct location on the first attempt, avoiding surrounding structures and increasing the diagnostic yield. It also helps identify features like calcifications or irregular borders.

At Dr. Nadelman’s clinic, patients benefit from this precision combined with on-site slide preparation and immediate cytologic review, resulting in fewer inconclusive samples, fewer repeat procedures, and faster diagnoses.

Schedule a consultation to experience ultrasound-guided biopsy performed by a specialist who delivers both accuracy and speed. Visit drnadelman.com to learn more 🖥️

Not Every Thyroid Nodule Needs a Biopsy 💉 Learn what Dr. Nadelman evaluates before recommending Fine Needle Aspiration a...
09/29/2025

Not Every Thyroid Nodule Needs a Biopsy 💉 Learn what Dr. Nadelman evaluates before recommending Fine Needle Aspiration and why expert assessment matters.

Thyroid nodules are often discovered during imaging or routine exams, and while they’re common, not all require biopsy. At Dr. Nadelman’s clinic, each case is evaluated carefully using ultrasound imaging, risk factors, and nodule characteristics to determine whether Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is appropriate.

A biopsy may be recommended when a nodule:

• Measures 1 cm or more with suspicious features
• Appears solid, irregular, or has internal calcifications
• Is associated with hoarseness, pressure, or difficulty swallowing
• Has grown over time or shows changes on follow-up imaging
• Appears concerning in a patient with a history of thyroid cancer or radiation exposure

Dr. Nadelman uses ultrasound guidance during the consultation to assess these factors and, if needed, perform the biopsy in the same visit. With on-site slide preparation and expert cytologic review, most patients receive a preliminary diagnosis within 12 to 24 hours.

If a thyroid nodule has been found, schedule a consultation for a focused evaluation and answers you can act on quickly ☎️

Why Your FNA Biopsy May Cost Thousands More at a Hospital vs a Private Practice 💉When you need a biopsy, two things shou...
09/01/2025

Why Your FNA Biopsy May Cost Thousands More at a Hospital vs a Private Practice 💉

When you need a biopsy, two things should be top priorities: getting an accurate diagnosis and receiving results quickly. Unfortunately, patients are often blindsided by another factor that can be just as stressful, the cost.

The truth is that where you choose to have your Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) biopsy performed can make a dramatic difference in both your expenses and your overall experience. Large hospital systems such as UCLA and Cedars Sinai are known for charging significantly more than private practices for the exact same procedure. This is not due to better equipment or more specialized expertise. In most cases, the difference comes down to how they bill, the number of separate charges they apply, and the negotiating power they have with insurance companies.

At Dr. Celina Nadelman's Beverly Hills practice, patients benefit from a model that is transparent, streamlined, and patient-focused. Everything is handled under one roof, by one expert, with one bill. This approach reduces cost, minimizes delays, and ensures you get the answers you need when you need them most.

Read our latest blog here https://bit.ly/3HMFUbv 🌐 Or call us at 310.359.1481 to schedule your consultation today! 📞

Address

1125 S Beverly Drive #602
Beverly Hills, CA
90035

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+13108073654

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