Determination of liquid-based cervical cytology specimen adequacy using cellular light scatter and flow cytometry.
BACKGROUND
The majority of cervical cytology specimens are being collected in liquid-based preservatives (LBP). However, the assessment of specimen adequacy, as mandated by The Bethesda System (TBS), is still being performed at the time of slide review. We present a rapid, flow cytometric method for assessing specimen adequacy.


METHODS
Three LBPs were compared for cell-surface antigen preservation. A three-color antibody panel was used to confirm the light scatter profile of specific cells in a liquid-based cervical cytology specimen. Using forward and orthogonal light scatter alone, we were able to assess the adequacy of liquid-based cytology specimens in all LBPs tested.


RESULTS
The number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), endocervical (columnar) cells, ectocervical (squamous) cells, and debris in 120 liquid-based cervical cytology samples was quantified in less than 10 min. Using cutoffs of > 20% PMNs, < 1.0% endocervical cells, < 1.0% ectocervical cells, and < 500 total cells per milliliter, light scatter correlated with microscopic determination of adequacy with a correlation coefficient of 0.99.


CONCLUSIONS
This rapid method allows the quantitative determination of cervical cytology adequacy in liquid-based cytology preparations prior to the preparation of slides for morphologic assessment.
Grundhoefer
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Invirion, Inc., Frankfort, Michigan, USA.
Patterson
B K
BK
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins; D008027:Light; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015415:Biomarkers; C400901:CAM 5.2 antigen; D007633:Keratins