Bronchoalveolar lavage: comparison of nucleopore filters and direct smear preparations.
To determine whether cytopreparation affects the diagnostic yield of bronchoalveolar lavage specimens, we compared 50 lavage samples by using two methods. One nucleopore filter preparation and four direct slides were prepared on each sample submitted. All slides were stained by the Papanicolaou method. Assessment of cellularity, cellular preservation, and an independent diagnosis were rendered on each sample for both preparatory methods. Statistical analysis showed no difference in cellularity between the two methods (P = .06). The degree of nuclear and cytoplasmic preservation was higher using the direct method, although this did not appear to affect diagnosis in this study. One major discrepancy in diagnosis was observed between the two methods. By prospectively comparing nucleopore filter and direct preparation of bronchoalveolar lavages, we found that there was minimal affect on either cellularity or diagnosis. We conclude that either method delivers reliable cytologic results.
Walker
T L
TL
South West Pathology Service, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. twalker@csu.edu.au
Owen
M
M
Donaldson
S
S
McGuire
L J
LJ
D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage / Q000379:methods*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; D002452:Cell Count; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D005374:Filtration; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D011309:Preservation, Biological; D015203:Reproducibility of Results