A comparative study of conventional cytology and cell block in the diagnosis of pleural effusion with special reference to immunohistochemistry

Background: Body cavity fluids are evaluated by cell block (CB) technique. In conventional cytological smears (CS), appropriate identification of the cells as either reactive mesothelial cells or malignant cells is a diagnostic problem. In CB method, there is increase in cellularity, so it gives more morphological details of cells and improving the sensitivity of diagnosis. Sections obtained by CB method are also can be stored for future study like immunohistochemistry (IHC). Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic efficacy of CB technique over conventional CS and to study of IHC in CB of malignant pleural effusion. Materials and Methods: This will be institution-based, cross-sectional, and observational study. The pleural fluid (except blood and pus) obtained by thoracocentesis from both male and female patient (>18 years of age) 100 cases was included in the study. Pleural fluid mixed with blood/pus, fluid from cystic lesion, and inadequate sample (<15 ml vol.) were excluded in the study. Results: Association between architectural pattern in CB versus architectural pattern in cytology smear showed statistically significant value Chi-square: 201.7417, P < 0.0001. Conclusion: We may conclude that CB technique is better than conventional cytology smear technique especially in case of malignant pleural effusion. It increases true positive cases and decreases false negative cases. It also increases cellularity, maintain architectural pattern, and cellular morphology.

Diagnostic efficacy of FNAC by liquid based technique versus conventional smear in lung and mediastinal masses

Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) has proven to be less costly and less invasive procedure than biopsy for diagnosing benign and malignant lesions. Of the two methods liquid based cytology (LBC) and conventional cytology (CC), LBC has been standardized as more efficacious in reporting in Gynaecological cases. But, this is still lacking in non-gynaecological cases and many studies are now focusing on studying LBC due to its proven advantages in Pap smear evaluation.Methods: An observational study of 72 patients with lung mass and 11 with mediastinal mass was done for a period of six months in a tertiary care hospital in Gurugram to compare the diagnostic efficacy of LBC and CC in fine needle aspirates from lung/mediastinal mass.Results: Of the 83 cases, reporting of LBC was adequate in 75 cases and CC in only 53 cases. LBC was better when differentiating malignant and benign lesions than CC. CC smears had better cellularity in comparison to LBC smears (36%), but rest cytological features of cytoplasmic detailing, cell architecture, less background debris and blood were all more appreciable in LBC smears than CC preparations.Conclusions: LBC is a better method than conventional smear for smear preparation and processing of aspirates obtained from lung and mediastinal mass.

Liquid-based cytology versus conventional cytology in fine-needle aspirates of salivary gland neoplasms

Background: Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is a method of retrieving and processing of cytological material for the assessment of both gynecological and nongynecological cases introduced in 1996. Mostly conventional smears (CS) are prepared in Indian scenario; however, due to increasing popularity of LBC in nongynecology specimens, LBC is also used in few centers for diagnosing salivary gland neoplasm. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare CS and LBC in fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the salivary gland neoplasms in terms of cytomorphological details, adequacy, ease of interpretation, pitfalls, and diagnostic efficiency. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, comparative study which included 64 salivary gland neoplasms. Both CS and LBC (SurePath) were prepared as per standard protocols and examined. Results and Conclusion: In our study, specificity and positive predictive value of both the techniques (conventional and LBC) were found to be 100%. Sensitivity of both the techniques was found to be similar (66.7%). Negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of conventional technique were found to be almost similar to that of LBC technique (97.6% vs. 97.2% and 97.7% vs. 97.4%). In terms of adequacy and cellularity, CSs were better than LBC. Ease of interpretation was better with CSs due to abundant chondromyxoid stroma, an important clue in the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma. Nuclear details and background were better in LBC as compared to CS. Hence, we conclude that in salivary gland FNAC, both CS and LBC have similar diagnostic efficiency. however, interpretation of conventional smears is easier than Liquid Based Cytology especially in cases of pleomorphic adenoma. However, some advantages of LBC in respect to conventional cytology, with better-preserved morphology obtained from LBC becomes furthermore obligatory.

Study of Ascitic Fluid by Liquid Based Cytology and Its Comparision with Conventional Cytosmears and Cell Block Preprations.

Background: Ascites refers to increased volume of fluid collecting within peritoneal cavity which becomes clinically detectable when atleast 500 ml has accumulated. Cytological examination of ascitic fluid gives information about inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions including malignancies, which is done by conventional cytosmears, SurePath liquid based cytological smears and cell block preparations. Aims: The aim of our study was to study the different causes of ascites and their comparison on liquid based cytology with conventional cytology and cell blocks. Methods: Ascitic fluid was obtained from 75 patients of either sex. Microscopic examined was carried out by SurePath liquid based cytology, conventional fixed sediment smears, and cell blocks. Results: Observations were categorised into inflammatory, malignant and inconclusive. Out of 75 cases examined by conventional smears, cytological diagnosis of inflammatory or benign was rendered in 45(60%), 7(9.3%) were diagnosed as malignant and 5(6.7%) were given suspicious of malignancy and 18(24%) were inconclusive. By liquid based cytology 53(70.7%) were rendered inflammatory or benign, 12 (16%) as malignant, 2(2.7%) as suspicious of malignancy and 8(10.7%) were rendered inconclusive. By cell block methodology 52(69.3%) were rendered inflammatory or benign, 11(14.7%) as malignant and 12(16%) as inconclusive. Statistical analysis: Revealed that liquid based cytology was most sensitive (85.71%) and accurate (97.33%) method for analysis of ascitic fluid and conventional smears were least sensitive (50%) and accurate (90.67%). Conclusion: Liquid based cytology showed more sensitivity and accuracy than conventional cytosmears and cell block methods in diagnosing malignant lesions.

Citología en base líquida: parámetros de eficacia / Liquid based cytology: efficacy parameters

OBJETIVO: Comparar la eficacia de la citología con la utilización de medio líquido en relación con la convencional, en pacientes que acudieron al Servicio de Ginecología de la Maternidad “Concepción Palacios”. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio prospectivo y comparativo, que incluyó a 177 pacientes a las cuales se les realizó ambas citologías (convencional y líquida). RESULTADOS: Se obtuvieron 114 muestras con células metaplásicas y de la unión escamo- cilíndrica con la citología convencional y 60 con citología en base líquida (P=0,001). Con la citología en base líquida se encontraron menos casos sin exudado inflamatorio, más con exudado moderado, y se diagnosticaron más casos de infección por virus de papiloma humano. Con la técnica convencional se observaron más casos de vaginosis bacteriana. Los resultados citológicos, en relación con las células epiteliales, fueron similares con ambas técnicas: 171 y 157 negativos, 2 y 8 atipias de células escamosas de significado incierto y 4 y 12 lesiones intraepiteliales de bajo grado, para citología convencional y en base líquida, respectivamente. Hubo 23 falsos negativos y 1 falso positivo con la citología convencional mientras que con la citología en base líquida hubo 18 falsos negativos y 10 falsos positivos. CONCLUSIONES: La sensibilidad, el valor de predicción positivo y el valor de predicción negativo, de la citología procesada según ambas técnicas, fueron similares, la especificidad de la citología convencional fue más alta.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of cytology with the use of liquid medium in relation to the conventional, in patients who attended the gynecology service in Maternidad “Concepción Palacios”. METHODS: Carried out a comparative and prospective study that included 177 patients which underwent both PAP (conventional and liquid). RESULTS: 114 samples with metaplastic cells and from the union escamo-cylindrical were obtained with conventional cytology and 60 with liquid-based cytology (P = 0.001). With liquid-based cytology found fewer cases without inflammatory exudate, most with moderate exudate, and more cases of infection were diagnosed by human papillomavirus. With the conventional technique, there were more cases of bacterial vaginosis. The cytologic findings, in relation to the epithelial cells, were similar with both techniques: 171 and 157 negatives, 2 and 8 atypia of squamous cells of uncertain significance and 4 and 12 intraepithelial lesions of low grade, for conventional smear and liquid-based, respectively. There were 23 false negative and false positive 1 with conventional cytology while with liquid-based cytology had 18 false negative and false positive 10. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity, the positive predictive value and the negative predictive value of Cytology processed according to both techniques were similar, the specificity of conventional cytology was higher.

Value of conventional cytology in the presence of macroscopic lesions of the anal canal / Valor da citologia convencional na presença de lesões macroscópicas do canal anal

OBJECTIVES: To verify the value of conventional cytology for the diagnosis of macroscopic lesions of the anal canal and to describe the limitations of the samples. METHOD: We evaluated 395 conventional cytology samples obtained by brushing the anal canal of patients (predominantly male, HIV-positive) and compared them to the presence of macroscopic lesions of the anal canal observed under anorectal examination. RESULTS: Of the total, 91.6% of samples were classified as adequate. Cellular elements representative of the anal transformation zone were observed in 63.5% of samples. Sensitivity in the presence or absence of cellularity was 80% and 31%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates the feasibility of using conventional anal cytology in outpatients. (AU)

OBJETIVO: verificar o valor da citologia convencional no diagnóstico de lesões macroscópicas do canal anal e descrever as limitações das amostras obtidas. MÉTODO: avaliamos 395 exames citológicos convencionais obtidos por escovado do canal anal de pacientes predominantemente do sexo masculino, soropositivos para HIV, e comparamos com a presença de lesões macroscópicas do canal anal constatadas ao exame proctológico. RESULTADO: o percentual de amostras adequadas foi de 91,6%, e os elementos celulares representativos da zona de transformação anal foram observados em 63,5% das amostras. Encontramos sensibilidade de 80% e 31% na presença ou ausência desta celularidade, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo demonstra a possibilidade de utilização da citologia anal convencional no rastreio de lesões macroscópicas do canal anal em pacientes ambulatoriais. (AU)

The significance of DNA ploidy analysis in cervical carcinoma screening for outpatients / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To investigate the value of DNA ploidy analysis in cervical cancer screening for outpatients.Methods 840 from 2 692 outpatients examed by Thin Prep cytology,DNA ploidy analysis were performed directed biopsy simultaneously.Sample were taken by cervix brush and transported into a fixative solution.Two slides were made from each sample for staining with Feulgen DNA specific staining and the other with Pap stained,respectively.The routine cytological diagnosis of Pap smear was done by cytology physicians,and the Feulgen staining tablets by the automated DNA ploidy analysis system.Results Among 840 cases,554 cases (66.0 ％) were histological diagnosed as chronic cervicitis,25 cases (3.0 ％) as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅰ,59 cases (7.0 ％) as CIN Ⅱ,100 cases (11.9 ％) as CINⅢ and 102 cases (12.1％) as cervical invasive cancer by pathological biopsy.486 cases were observed with DNA heteroploid and 354 were not.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive values and negative predictive values of scanning CIN Ⅱ or more severe cervical diseases by DNA heteroploid positive or heteroploid ≥3 for were 91.9 ％ or 89.2 ％,58.5 ％ or 35.8 ％,49.4 ％ or 57.3 ％,94.1％ or 77.2 ％,respectively,while those of scanning equal or more than LSIS andthe above diseases by Thin Prep cytology were 40.2 ％,90.0 ％,39.6 ％ and 76.9 ％.Conclusion DNA ploidy analysis might be a useful tool for cervical cancer screening and has a competitive sensitivity compared with conventional cytology.

Citologia esfoliativa convencional versus citologia em meio líquido para prevenção e diagnóstico precoce do carcinoma escamo celular (CEC) oral / Conventional cytology versus liquid-based cytology for prevention and early diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)

Objetivando avaliar a concordância, sensibilidade e especificidade diagnóstica dos métodos citológicos:convencional e em meio líquido, foi realizado um estudo de caso-controle, no Ambulatório deCabeça e Pescoço do Hospital de Câncer de Pernambuco, sendo selecionados 182 indivíduos doentese 179 sãos, no período de setembro de 2002 a janeiro de 2004, os quais, permitiram através de assinatura de termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido a realização de exames (clínico/ citológicoesfoliativo - cytobrush) na área carcinomatosa e em área sã, constituindo, respectivamente, o grupo de casos e controles. Os dados obtidos foram analisados através dos softwares estatísticos SPSS(Statistical Package for Social Science) e Epi-Info versão 6.4. Os resultados evidenciaram que os métodosdiagnósticos citológicos apresentaram entre os casos: sensibilidade= 96,9% (IC= 95%: 92,5% a98,8%); especificidade= 75,0% (IC= 95%: 21,9% a 98,7%) e acurácia= 96,3% (IC=95%: 92,5% a 98,5%);e entre os controles: sensibilidade= 91,0% (IC=95%: 84,1% a 95,2%); especificidade = 57,5% (IC=95%:41,0% a 72,6%) e acurácia= 82,7% (IC=95%: 76,3% a 88,0%). A citologia convencional e em base--líquida apresentaram concordância com o diagnóstico histopatológico em mais de 90%. Conclui-se, portanto, que, se bem indicado e executado, o exame citológico pode ser utilizado rotineiramente como exame complementar, pois ambos apresentaram alta sensibilidade e razoável especificidade,cabendo à citologia convencional maior especificidade para o diagnóstico das lesões orais.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and concordance between conventionalcytology and liquid-based cytology. A case-control study was developed at the Head andNeck ambulatory service of Hospital do Cancer de Pernambuco. A hundred and eighty-two patientswith primary Oral Squamous Cellular Carcinoma (OSCC) (case group) and 179 individuals with normalbuccal mucosa (control group) were selected, from September 2002 to January 2004. They agreed tobe submitted to clinical examination and exfoliative cytology of the oral cavity, by signing a documentof consent. The data were analysed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Epi-Info 6.4 program.Among the cases, the cytologic methods demontrated a sensitivity= 96.9% (IC= 95%: 92.5% to98.8%), specificity= 75.0% (IC=95%: 21.9% to 98.7%), and accuracy= 96.3% (IC=95%: 92.5% to 98.5%).Among the controls the results were: sensitivity= 91.0% (IC=95%: 84.1% to 95.2%);, specificity= 57.5%(IC=95%: 41.0% to 72.6%), and accuracy= 82.7% (IC=95%: 76.3% to 88.0%). Conventional cytologyand liquid-based cytology demonstrated a diagnostic concordance with histopathology of more than90%. In conclusion if properly indicated and executed, they can be routinely used as complementarydiagnostic methods. When compared to each other, conventional cytology and liquid-based cytologyshowed a high sensitivity and reasonable specificity, conventional cytology having higher specificity.

Avaliação de métodos diagnósticos, morfológicos e biomoleculares em mulheres encaminhadas com citologia alterada / The diagnostic efficacy of morphologic and molecular methods in women with abnormal citology

Introdução: o câncer do colo uterino é a neoplasia mais frequente em mulheres de países em desenvolvimento. Doença causada pela infecção persistente com diferentes tipos de papilomavírus humano (HPV) classificados em baixo e alto risco, de acordo com o potencial oncogênico. Objetivo: em mulheres com diagnóstico citopatológico anormal por ocasião de exame de rastreamento do câncer cervical, encaminhadas por diferentes postos de atendimento do Sistema Único de Saúde para serviço universitário de referência e com diagnóstico definitivo de lesão intraepitelial de alto grau ou câncer cervical, avaliara eficácia diagnóstica de métodos morfológicos e biomoleculares utilizados de maneira isolada ou em associação; e a prevalência, estratificada em duasfaixas etárias, abaixo de 30 e igual ou superior a 30 anos, do HPV tipos 16, 18 e 45. Métodos: estudaram-se 167 mulheres encaminhadas ao Ambulatório de Patologia Cervical e Colposcopia do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, no período de novembro de 2002 e dezembro de 2003,com colo uterino íntegro, não grávidas e sem história de câncer no trato genital inferior. Coletaram-se, de todas as mulheres, amostras para estudo citológico,convencional e em meio líquido, e para os testes de DNA-HPV. Considerou-se como diagnóstico histopatológico final a avaliação mais grave dentre ospossíveis espécimes, biópsia, conização ou peça cirúrgica, que a paciente pudesse ter. Resultados: não há qualquer diferença no tocante à sensibilidade,ao valor preditivo positivo e negativo e à acurácia dentre os métodos diagnósticos estudados, porém a associação da citologia com o teste DNA-HPV tem menor especificidade que o exame citológico isolado, quer convencional ou em meio líquido. A prevalência do HPV 16, 18 e 45 cai de 88,9% para 50,0%nas mulheres com 30 anos ou mais (p = 0,02). Conclusão: nas mulheres encaminhadas ao ambulatório de PTGIC do HU-UFJF com colpocitologia alteradanão se justifica a realização de qualquer exame confirmatório, devendo realizar-se imediatamente a colposcopia para se ter o desfecho diagnóstico.

Introduction: cervical cancer is the most frequent neoplasia among the women of countries in development. Great part of these cases is caused by persistent infection with different types of human papilomavirus (HPV) classified as low and high risk, according to the risk of cervical cancer development. Objectives:based on women with abnormal cytology when screening for cervical cancer who were led from different units of the Public Health System to the reference university service and with a definite diagnosis of high cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or cancer, was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of morphologicand molecular methods used alone or together and the prevalence of HPV types 16, 18, 45, stratified into two age brackets. Methods: 167 women went to the Cervical Pathology and colposcopy clinic of the University Hospital of the Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, during the period from November 2002 to December 2003, with intact uterine cervix, not pregnant and without previous chemical and/or radiotherapy treatment for the inferior genital tract.Samples for cytology study were collected from all women, with conventional and liquid-based preparations, for CH2 for high risk virus, for DNA PAP andfor Probe Pack test. The worst histologic diagnosis among the possible histologic studies through biopsy, conization or cirurgic pieces was considered as "gold standard". Results: there is no difference regarding sensibility, positive predict value and negative predict value for all methods studied, However, the DNA PAP method has less specificities than the citology exam, either with conventional or based-liquid preparation. The prevalence of HPV 16, 18, 45 decreases from 88,9% to 50% in women of 30 years old or more, being this decrease statistically significant. Conclusion: in those women led to the PTGIC of the HUUFJF with abnormal cytology it is not necessary to repeat any tests, just colposcopy in order to reach the final diagnosis.

A Comparison of Conventional Cytology and ThinPrep Cytology of Bronchial Washing Fluid in the Diagnosis of Lung Cancer / 결핵및호흡기질환

Background: A ThinPrep(R) Processor was developed to overcome the limitations of conventional cytology and is widely used to diagnose various cancers. This study compared the diagnostic efficacy of conventional cytology for lung cancer with that of the ThinPrep(R) cytology using the bronchial washing fluid. Methods: The bronchial washing fluid of 790 patients from Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2006, who were suspected of gaving a lung malignancy, was evaluated. Both ThinPrep(R) and conventional cytology were performed for all specimens. Result: Four hundred forty-six men and 344 women were enrolled in this study, and 197 of them were diagnosed with cancer from either a bronchoscopic biopsy or a percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy. ThinPrep(R) cytology showed a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and false negative error rate of 71.1%, 98.0%, 92.1%, 91.1%, 8.9%, respectively. The conventional cytology showed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, nagative predictive value and false negative error rate of 57.9%, 98.0%, 90.5%, 87.5%, 12.5%, respectively. For central lesions, the sensitivity of conventional cytology and ThinPrep(R) were 70.1% and 82.8%, respectively. Conclusion: ThinPrep(R) cytology showed a higher sensitivity and lower false negative error rate than conventional cytology. This result was unaffected by the histological classification of lung cancer. Therefore, ThinPrep(R) cytology appears to be a useful method for increasing the detection rate of lung cancer in bronchial washing cytology test.

Comparison of Thinprep (Liquid-Based Cytology) and Conventional Cytology: Abnormal Lesion on Bronchoscopy / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Liquid-based cytology is currently known as an effective method, and cervical cytology has been shown to be especially effective from of malignancy detection. In our study, the cytological detection rates of the Thinprep (Liquid-based cytology) and conventional cytology (bronchial washing & brushing) for endobronchial lesions were compared. METHODS: Between July 2005 and September 2005, the data from 30 patients with respiration symptom, who had shown abnormal lesion on bronchoscopy, were collected. RESULTS: The bronchoscopic biopsy group was consisted of 30 cytodiagnosis specimens, 24 of which were confirmed to be malignant. The others were tuberculosis (4), bronchiectasis and bronchopulmonary fistula (1 each). Of the 24 malignant case, cancer or atypical cells were detected in 19, 17 and 12 of the Thinprep, brushing cytology and washing cytology cases, respectively. None one of the methods detected cancer cells in the non-malignant specimens. Washing cytology has shown sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 50, 100, 100 and 33.3% respectively. Brushing cytology has shown sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 70.8, 100, 100 and 46.2%, respectively. Thinprep has shown sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 79.2, 100, 100 and 54%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Thinprep (liquid-based cytology) showed better sensitivity and negative predictive values for the evaluation of lung cancer than conventional cytology. However a large-scale study will be needed in the future.