ABSTRACT
We analyzed the value in cervical cytology of a recently developed technique by which it is possible to remove thick tissue specimens, called microbiopsies, from cervical smears and to process them for histologic examination. In 12 (48%) of 25 cervical smears in which microbiopsies were found, the histologic sections from them confirmed the cytologic diagnosis. Most cases involved classification of lesions diagnosed as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. In 13 (52%) of 25 smears, processing the microbiopsy allowed considerable modification of the cytologic diagnosis. In six of these cases, microbiopsies consisted of groups of columnar cells that were incorrectly classified as atypical on the basis of cytologic criteria. After histologic processing, the microbiopsies revealed nonatypical columnar cells in four cases and only mildly atypical columnar cells in two cases. In 3 of 13 smears, there were insufficient dispersed atypical cells for a conclusive diagnosis. Processing the microbiopsies in these cases allowed classification into one of the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia categories.
Subject(s)
Biopsy/methods , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Endometrial Neoplasms/pathology , Uterine Cervical Dysplasia/pathology , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology , Vaginal Smears , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/classification , Endometrial Neoplasms/classification , Female , Histological Techniques , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/classification , Uterine Cervical Dysplasia/classificationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel method by which small tissue fragments found in routine cytology specimens can be processed for histologic slides without destroying or damaging the cytologic specimen. STUDY DESIGN: To develop a method by which small tissue fragments (microbiopsies) are removed from cytologic slides and processed through paraffin or plastic, after which histologic slides can be prepared. RESULTS: In all cases described, the histologic sections from the microbiopsies were of excellent quality. Microscopic examination gave additional important information. Furthermore, immunochemistry could be performed on paraffin-processed microbiopsies. CONCLUSION: This method can be of great value in cytologic specimens in which microbiopsies are present, not only in those cases in which cytologic information is insufficient for diagnosis, but also in cases with conclusive diagnostic information. Routinely applied, this method could make biopsies unnecessary in some cases.