Indigenous Technique as an Effective Liquid-Based Cytology Tool for Multiple Single-Layered Cell Preparations

Abstract

Aims and objectives: The aim of this work was to study the application of Modified Millipore technique (MMT) as a liquid-based tool to have multiple monolayer cellular smears for the routine cytology and Immunocytochemistry.

Materials and methods: In this study, we included 32 effusion fluid samples and 30 fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) samples. From each of the samples, at first routine conventional smear was prepared. The residual samples were processed by MMT to make multiple smear preparation. Both the conventional and MMT of the monolayer cells were evaluated. The various cytomorphological features including the cellularity, background information, nuclear morphology, and cytoplasmic preservation were compared in these two techniques.

Result: There were a total of 15 cases of fluid samples and 27 cases of FNAC. Statistical analysis of Mann-Whitney U test showed that the monolayer preparation by MMT and liquid-based cytology of fluid and FNAC smears are of same quality (P > 0.01).

Conclusion: Monolayer preparation by MMT is cheap and effective. This technique can be used in routine laboratory for multiple monolayer cell preparations.

Keywords: Liquid based cytology; Millipore; Monolayer preparation; Single-Layered cell.

Figure 1

(a) Smears of modified Millipore technique (right) and liquid-based cytology (left). (b) Smears of modified Millipore technique (left) and fine-needle aspiration cytology (right)

Figure 2

(a) Liquid-based cytology smear of an adenocarcinoma (Papanicolaou's stain ×440). (b) Indigenous modified Millipore cytology smear of the same (Papanicolaou's stain ×440)

Figure 3

(a) Conventional fine-needle aspiration cytology smear of a mucinous adenocarcinoma (Papanicolaou's stain ×440). (b) Indigenous modified Millipore cytology smear of a mucinous adenocarcinoma (Papanicolaou's stain ×440). (c) Conventional fine-needle aspiration cytology smear of a pleomorphic adenoma (Hematoxylin and eosin stain ×440). (d) Indigenous modified Millipore cytology of a fine-needle aspiration cytology smear of a pleomorphic adenoma (Papanicolaou's stain ×240)