Simultaneous sampling of the endocervix and ectocervix using the profile brush.

In a controlled trial a new modified nylon brush (Profile brush) was compared for endocervical cell pickup with the combination of an Ayre spatula and traditional cytobrush. The two devices produced the same endocervical cell pickup rates (Ayre + cytobrush, 82.0%; Profile, 82.7%). The smears were of good quality, with no difference in the incidence of scanty or unsatisfactory smears. The Profile brush was easy to use. It may be an alternative to the combination of an Ayre spatula and cytobrush for sampling the cervix.