Diagnostic parameters in liquid-based cervical cytology using a coagulant suspension fixative.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate in detail the morphology of cervical cell samples suspended in the coagulant fixative BoonFix (Finetec, Tokyo, Japan) in liquid-based Papspin slides (Thermo Shandon, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A) to detect shifts in diagnostic parameters for infections and neoplasia.

STUDY

DESIGN

Split samples of 1,010 cases were collected. All Papspin slides were scanned with neural network technology. In 849 cases the diagnosis was "within normal limits"; in 22 cases it was preneoplasia. In 151 special cases conventional smears were compared with thin-layer slides.

RESULTS

In 85% of the 151 special cases, a shift of the diagnostic parameter was observed in the Papspin slide. The parameter adhesion of inflammatory cells to epithelial cells was easier to discern in 94% of the cases, and adhesion of microorganisms varied 43-100%. Koilocytosis was more visible in 79%. Prominent nucleoli in atypical and malignant cells were enhanced in 50-100% of cases with preneoplasia. The fact that the cells on the Papspin slide were no longer present in diagnostic streaks posed a problem only in the case of follicular cervicitis.

CONCLUSION

The shifts in parameters facilitated the diagnostic process. BoonFix permits the screening of liquid-based Papspin slides, which have proven to be well suited to automated neural network scanning.