Analysis of five sampling methods for the preparation of cervical smears.

Author(s): Boon ME, de Graaff Guilloud JC, Rietveld WJ

Publication: Acta Cytol, 1989, Vol. 33, Page 843-8

PubMed ID: 2588917 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to compare 5 cervical smear sampling methods. Specimens were collected by method A, method B, rotating the tip of cytopick in endocervical canal then rotating the spatula end in the ectocervix (method C), rotating a moistened cotton swab in endocervical canal and then rotating a spatula in the ectocervix (method D), or rotating a cervex brush 5 times in contact with ectocervix/endcervix (E).

   Summary of Findings:

   The performance of the sampling methods was dependant on the sample taker (p<0.01). On average, only 0.78% of specimens collected by method B lacked EC, but 2.06% collected by method C, 4.38% collected by method E, 7.34% collected by method D and 9.29% collected by method A lacked EC. Although no differences in the detection of infectious changes or agents were found, the methods did differ significantly as to the diagnosis of CIN. Method B was the best for detection of CIN I-II (4.38%) and CIN III (2.17%), but overall differences between methods for detection of CIN were slight. The authors conclude that method B is the optimal method of cervical smear collection and methods A and D are not suitable.

   Biospecimens

   • Cell - Cervix

   Preservative Types

   • Other Preservative

   Diagnoses:

   • Not specified
   • Other diagnoses

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Morphology	Light microscopy

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Preaquisition	Diagnosis/ patient condition	Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)
   Biospecimen Acquisition	Method of cell acquisition	Cervex brush Cotton swab plus spatula Cytobrush plus spatula Cytopick Spatula

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