A comparative analysis of conventional cytopreparatory and liquid based cytological techniques (Sure Path) in evaluation of serous effusion fluids

• Published in: Diagnostic cytopathology 2016-11, Vol.44 (11), p.874-879
• Main Authors: Dadhich, Hrishikesh, Toi, Pampa Ch, Siddaraju, Neelaiah, Sevvanthi, Kalidas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ascitic Fluid - pathology; conventional cyto-preparatory technique; Cytodiagnosis - methods; Cytodiagnosis - standards; Humans; liquid based cytology; malignant cells; Neoplasms - pathology; Pericardial Effusion - pathology; Pleural Effusion - pathology; Reproducibility of Results; serous effusion fluids
• ISSN: 8755-1039; 1097-0339
• DOI: 10.1002/dc.23567

Background Clinically, detection of malignant cells in serous body fluids is critical, as their presence implies the upstaging of the disease. Cytology of body cavity fluids serves as an important tool when other diagnostic tests cannot be performed. In most laboratories, currently, the effusion fluid samples are analysed chiefly by the conventional cytopreparatory (CCP) technique. Although, there are several studies comparing the liquid‐based cytology (LBC), with CCP technique in the field of cervicovaginal cytology; the literature on such comparison with respect to serous body fluid examination is sparse. Methods One hundred samples of serous body fluids were processed by both CCP and LBC techniques. Slides prepared by these techniques were studied using six parameters. A comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the techniques in detection of malignant cells was carried out with appropriate statistical tests. Results The samples comprised 52 pleural, 44 peritoneal and four pericardial fluids. No statistically significant difference was noted with respect to cellularity (P values = 0.22), cell distribution (P values = 0.39) and diagnosis of malignancy (P values = 0.20). As for the remaining parameters, LBC provided statistically significant clearer smear background (P values