Conjunctival impression cytology by using a thermosensitive adhesive: polymerized N-isopropyl acrylamide.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to evaluate a new technique using a thermosensitive glue coating for impression cytology of the ocular surface.


METHODS
We prepared plasma polymerized N-isopropyl acrylamide (pNIPAM)-coated parylene C (poly(monochloro-p-xylylene)) films to obtain cytological samples from the conjunctival surface. We compared this new technique with the conventional nitrocellulose paper method in regards to the quality of impression cytology and quantity of the cells in 30 postmenauposal women with dry eye complaints.


RESULTS
The cellular material was adequate for evaluation in 28 (93%) of 30 eyes in pNIPAM-coated parylene group and in 18 (60%) of 30 eyes in the nitrocellulose group (P = 0.0002). pNIPAM-coated parylene technique was superior to the nitrocellulose technique regarding the mean number of cells per microscopic field (P = 0.00003), integrity of the cells (P = 0.00001), and cellular preservation (P = 0.0002).


CONCLUSIONS
The number of cells and the quality scores were significantly higher in the pNIPAM-coated impression cytology technique than the nitrocellulose method.
Tunc
Murat
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Duzce University Medical School, Duzce, Turkey. mtunc@isbank.net.tr
Yildirim
Umran
U
Yuksel
Harun
H
Cheng
Xuanhong
X
Humayun
Mark
M
Ratner
Buddy
B
D000178:Acrylamides / Q000737:chemistry*; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000368:Aged; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology*; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D014992:Xylenes / Q000737:chemistry*
D000178:Acrylamides; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011108:Polymers; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D014992:Xylenes; C052970:poly-N-isopropylacrylamide; C011055:parylene