title: A new approach to exfoliative cytology: A comparative cytomorphometric study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early detection of oral premalignancy and malignancy using simple screening aids play a promising role in curbing the disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of this study is to evaluate and the secondary aim of this study is to compare the cytomorphometry and cellular atypia in keratinocytes obtained from oral rinse and conventional exfoliative cytology in normal oral mucosa and clinically diagnosed oral leukoplakia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised of 55 clinically diagnosed cases of leukoplakia and 55 age and sex matched normal controls. Smears were prepared using oral rinse technique followed by the conventional exfoliative cytology. Papanicoloau stained smears were evaluated for atypia and subjected to image analysis. Based on the presence of atypia they were further divided into three groups (Group 1-cases with atypia, Group 2-without atypia and Group 3-normal controls) and analyzed. Statistical analysis used one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey Honestly Significant Difference test for intergroup analysis and unpaired students t-test to compare the two methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Smears prepared with both methods demonstrated atypia in 18 cases. The cellular diameter and cellular area (CA) were progressively increased from Group 1 through Groups 2 and 3 in both the smears. Nuclear diameter and nuclear area and nuclear cytoplasmic ratio progressively decreased from Group 1 through Groups 2 and 3. Both the methods showed no significant differences among the cellular parameters except in normal controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cytomorphometric analysis of keratinocytes obtained with oral rinse method and wooden spatula can serve as a useful screening aid to detect oral leukoplakia. Oral rinse method being more convenient results in smears of better quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte University, Deralkatte, Mangalore; Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, K.V.G. Dental College and Hospital, Kurunjibag, Sullia, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shaila
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pai
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000473:pathology; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology