A novel solution configuration on liquid-based endometrial cytology

Abstract

Objective: Early detection and diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma and precancerous change would undoubtedly become the most alluring part for researchers. With the emergence of endometrial brush samplers, a new upsurge in endometrial cytology is in the making. But endometrial specimens obtained by the endometrial brush samplers require special preservation solution. The objective of this study is to develop a new kind of endometrial-cell preservation solution and to test the availability compared with a patented liquid-based cell preservation solution.

Methods: In this controlled study, we had 5 endometrial cases collected with Li Brush from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (09/2016 to 12/2016). The samples of each case were collected 2 times separately and perserved in different perservation solutions. One was a kind of novel endometrial cell preservation solution and the other was a kind of patented liquid-based cell (LBC) preservation solution. The endometrial cells were smeared on slides by using the ZP-C automated slide preparation system and stained with Papanicolaou stain. A semi-quantitative scoring system was used to analyze the quality of slides. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test on the SPSS program (SPSS 18.0). In all LBC preparations, endometrial cells from the novel endometrial cells preservation solution had more cell quantity, less red blood cell fragments, and the background was cleaner compared with control group. Although the novel endometrial-cell preservation solution showed cellularity and absence of blood and debris expressed by no statistically significant differences (p = 0.063 and 0.102 respectively). The preservation period of the two kinds of liquids was equivalent.

Conclusions: The novel endometrial-cell preservation solution is superior to the liquid-base cell preservation solution for cervical cells, with clear background, diagnostic cells and low cost.

Fig 1. Flowchart of assessing the novel endometrial-cell preservation solution for endometrial brush sampler.

LBC: liquid-based cytology.

Fig 2

Centrifuge tube A, B, C, D and E contained three kinds of cell preservation solutions which had two kinds of preservation period. Tube A and C were novel endometrial-cell preservation solution, tube B and D added glacial acetic acid solution adjusting pH on the basis of A and C respectively, tube E was the patented liquid-based cell preservation solution. Tube A and B had prepared for 2 months, tube C, D and E for 0 day. Picture C, D and E were results of Centrifuge tube C, D and E for DAPI fluorescent staining respectively. ×400.

Fig 3. Endometrial-cells on low-power examination from two kinds of cell preservation solutions.

Novel, novel endometrial-cell preservation solution. Patented, patented liquid-based cell preservation solution. ×100.

Fig 4. Endometrial cells on high-power examination from two kinds of cell preservation solutions.

The cells were preserved for 2 days and 7 days respectively. ×400.