ABSTRACT
A sheathed cytology brush, fashioned to be used during laparoscopy, is described for brushing the surface of the liver, spleen and peritoneum. The method has had no morbidity or complication in 100 consecutive patients. and has been highly successful in obtaining diagnostic cytological material from malignant neoplasms involving the liver (94%) and peritoneum (100%). In two cases, biopsies of tumor nodules were nondiagnostic, while brush cytology definitively documented malignancy. Because the brushing induces minimal trauma and is quick and simple to perform, it is suggested that brush cytology be considered a supplement to needle and forceps biopsies during laparoscopy. The stainless steel sheath on the brush eliminates concern over loss of cytologic material during brush withdrawal.
