A comparison of cytologic findings in three liquid-based cytology methods that use seven types of clinical material

Abstract

The main liquid-based cytology (LBC) methods that are generally used in Japan are the ThinPrep (TP) method, SurePath (SP) method, and TACAS (TAC) method. Their preparation procedures, manufacturing principles, and reagents are different from each other. Therefore, because of differences in cellular quantity and shape, the cytological findings of the 3 LBC methods that use various types of cell material are compared. In terms of cellular quantity for use in diagnosis, SP has a significantly higher cellular quantity than TAC and TP, and TAC has a significantly higher cellular quantity than TP in the lungs, thyroid gland, endocervix, and endometrium. SP and TAC have a significantly higher cellular quantity than TP in the mammary gland and effusion. SP has a significantly higher cellular quantity than TAC and TP in urine. As for the state of nuclear chromatin and cytoplasmic maintenance, urine showed no significant difference among the 3 LBC methods. On the other hand, in other materials, SP and TAC were maintained more significantly than TP. As for the background of inflammation, in urine, SP levels decreased more significantly than TAC and TP levels, and in other materials, SP and TAC levels decreased more significantly than TP levels. As for the ratio of diagnostic impossibility, urine had no significant difference among the 3 LBC methods. On the other hand, in other materials, SP and TAC levels were significantly higher than TP levels. From the above-mentioned results, although they are the same LBC methods, because their preparation procedures, manufacturing principles, and fixative solutions are different, differences in cellular quantity and shape became obvious.