Comparison of two preparation methods for endocervical evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the validity of SurePath liquid-based preparation method for examination of endocervical brush specimens as a substitute for conventionally prepared cytology methods for evaluating the endocervical canal during colposcopic examination and biopsy.


METHODS
Paired SurePath liquid-based test slides and conventional smears were obtained using an endocervical brush in a split sample protocol before biopsy at the time of colposcopy. The level of agreement between cytologic results obtained was assessed. Accuracy and operating characteristics were evaluated compared to histologic follow-up.


RESULTS
Agreement between cytology results for the methods was excellent. The overall kappa was 0.924 (p = 0.0000). There was exact agreement on interpretation between the methods in 283 of 299 cases (94.6%). Cytohistologic follow-up results correlation were: SurePath liquid-based Pap test results and conventional smear results agreed with histology results in 47.8% and 49.2% of cases, respectively. Allowing for a discrepancy within 1 level of severity of cytologic grade, agreements were 76.6% and 77.2%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that the SurePath method is equivalent to conventional endocervical brush cytology preparation and performs well for detection of cervical intraepithelial lesions and cancer. SurePath is acceptable for endocervical evaluation as a substitute for endocervical curettage at colposcopic biopsy.
Kim
Hye Sun
HS
Department of Pathology, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Park
Jong Sook
JS
Park
Ji Young
JY
Hong
Sung Ran
SR
Seong
Seok Ju
SJ
Kim
Hy Sook
HS
Wilbur
David C
DC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears