Comparison of ThinPrep versus conventional smear cytopreparatory techniques for fine-needle aspiration specimens of head and neck masses.
OBJECTIVE
Diagnostic accuracy of the ThinPrep process (Cytyc, Boxborough, MA) was compared with that of conventional (smear) cytopreparation for fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of head and neck masses.


METHODS
In a prospective, randomized, single-blinded study, 209 patients served as their own controls and underwent 236 FNAs using ThinPrep and conventional (smear) cytopreparatory techniques.


RESULTS
ThinPrep produced less air-drying artifact and less mechanical distortion than the conventional method. The conventional technique was diagnostic in 63% of samples; the ThinPrep technique was diagnostic in 55% of samples. When all results were combined, pathologists subjectively preferred the conventional technique but accepted use of ThinPrep as the only cytopreparatory technique for most head and neck masses.


CONCLUSIONS
For adequately experienced cytopathologists, ThinPrep is acceptable for FNA of salivary masses, neck cysts, metastatic lymph nodes, and thyroid lesions. Conventional smear technique should be used for FNA of nonmetastatic lymphoid lesions. Use of ThinPrep can complement use of the conventional (smear) cytopreparatory technique when aspirate is nondiagnostic or bloody, when the patient has a blood-borne infectious disease, when the clinician is inexperienced, or when aspirate has entered the syringe.
Ford
Lloyd
L
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Oakland, CA 94611, USA.
Rasgon
Barry M
BM
Hilsinger
Raymond L
RL
Cruz
Raul M
RM
Axelsson
Karen
K
Rumore
Gregory J
GJ
Schmidtknecht
Thomas M
TM
Puligandla
Balaram
B
Sawicki
John
J
Pshea
William
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results