title: The effects of different sampling techniques on smear quality and the diagnosis of cytological abnormalities in cervical screening.
abstract: A major cause of false-negative cervical smear is sampling error. We examined the results obtained with three different instruments in 126,608 smears from general practitioners. The spatula/brush combination yielded the highest proportion of smears showing cytological abnormalities, and the Cervex brush the lowest. Although not a randomized study, this paper highlights the shortcomings of the Cervex brush. We postulate a mechanical deficiency. Diagnostic accuracy rather than a high proportion of good quality smears should dictate the choice of instrument.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytopathology, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hair
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wadehra
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards