title: Conventional liquid-based techniques versus Cytyc Thinprep processing of urinary samples: a qualitative approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of our study was to objectively compare Cytyc Thinprep and other methods of obtaining thin layer cytologic preparations (cytocentrifugation, direct smearing and Millipore filtration) in urine cytopathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thinprep slides were compared to direct smears in 79 cases. Cytocentrifugation carried out with the Thermo Shandon Cytospin 4 was compared to Thinprep in 106 cases, and comparison with Millipore filtration followed by blotting was obtained in 22 cases. Quality was assessed by scoring cellularity, fixation, red blood cells, leukocytes and nuclear abnormalities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data show that 1) smearing allows good overall results to be obtained, 2) Cytocentrifugation with reusable TPX chambers should be avoided, 3) Cytocentrifugation using disposable chambers (Cytofunnels or Megafunnel chambers) gives excellent results equalling or surpassing Thinprep and 4) Millipore filtration should be avoided, owing to its poor global quality. Despite differences in quality, the techniques studied have no impact on the diagnostic accuracy as evaluated by the rate of abnormalities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that conventional methods such as cytocentrifugation remain the most appropriate ones for current treatment of urinary samples. Cytyc Thinprep processing, owing to its cost, could be used essentially for cytology-based molecular studies.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U.407, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, 69495 Pierre Bénite Cedex, France. eric.piaton@chu-lyon.fr
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Piaton
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faÿnel
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hutin
authors.forename: Marie-Claude
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ranchin
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cottier