ThinPrep Processor. Clinical trials demonstrate an increased detection rate of abnormal cervical cytologic specimens.
The authors compared the accuracy of conventionally prepared smears and smears prepared by an automated, fluid-based, thin-layer processing device in the detection of cytologic abnormalities. A total of 3218 patients from five centers took part in this study, in which a single cervical sample was split into a matched pair. The conventional smear was made in the routine fashion; the remainder of the cells on the sampling device were rinsed into a transport-fixation fluid. A slide was then prepared from the solution using the thin-layer processor. Diagnostic findings identified on the two preparations were compared in a blinded fashion, and a discrepancy resolution procedure was used to eliminate screening differences. Overall, there was a high correlation in the diagnoses of the two methods. For low-grade or more severe disease, the thin-layer method resulted in a 13% increase in the rate of detection, as compared with the conventional Papanicolaou smear technique.
Wilbur
D C
DC
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York 14642.
Cibas
E S
ES
Merritt
S
S
James
L P
LP
Berger
B M
BM
Bonfiglio
T A
TA
D003585:Cell Biology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000592:standards