According to the principle of the Saccomanno technique, a simplified device was made for cell collection of sputum. It consists of a small motor, springjoint, metal shaft, a pairof screws and two batteries (SUM-3/1.5 V). It measures 20cm long and weighs only 140g. Stirring the specimen for 30 seconds at about 6, 000 rpm produces complete emulsion of sputum.
The authors tentatively designate it “Simplifed Saccomanno Technique” (S. S.). A homogenizer (HG) was alsoadopted for comparison. Its function is similar to Saccomanno's original blender. One hundred twelve specimens taken from 95 patients who had been suspected of lung cancer were examined by means of direct smears, S. S. and HG. Thirteen out of the 95 patients proved to havecancer. Numerical evaluation was made on squamouscarcinoma and adenocarcinoma group. Generally, in S. S. and HG slides there were more malignant cells per unit slidearea than in direct smears of the same specimen.
As to small anaplastic carcinoma, identifying cells wouldseem to be easier on direct smear, but it was not as simpleas might be thought on S. S. and HG because of the changein nuclear pattern. Degenerated benign epithelial cells were likely to be mistaken for small anaplastic carcinomacells.
The characteristics of large cell carcinoma appearedin S. S. and HG were quite different from those in directsmear.
An attempt was made to classify the grade of atypia ofsquamous cell metaplasia according to Saccomanno'scriteria on each slide of squamous carcinoma, smallanaplastic carcinoma and large cell carcinoma totaling to 5cases. The number of metaplastic cells seems to vary withthe case. Occasionally it was difficult to differentiatesingle metaplastic cells from the cells of squamous epithelium origin.
This S. S. method, like the Saccomanno technique, facilitates the recognition of the cells in clear background.
Since the effect of this simple blender was confirmed tocertain extent, it would be worth utilizing this device forcell collection.
