1996 Volume 35 Issue 2 Pages 126-131
To improve the cell recovery rate in endometrial cytodiagnosis, we utilized a washing method. After preparation of direct smear specimens (direct smear method), the collection instrument was washed with RPMI 1640 medium for suspension culture (medium), and its sediments were used as specimens. 1) The washing method revealed a large number of endometrial endothelial cell aggregates in the instrument in 100 non-cancer patients. In 5 patients with well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and 5 with adenomatous hyperplasia, the washing method also showed more cell aggregates than the direct smear method. 2) Serial changes in cells (nuclear chromatin, nuclear margin, nuclear axis) were observed using culture medium, physiological saline, and Bymex solution in 15 patients each. With saline, degeneration and swelling of the nucleus were observed 30 minutes after collection and became marked with time. With medium, slight nuclear degeneration appeared 3 hours after collection, but changes in the nuclear axis were negligible, showing good storage. With the Bymex solution, no degeneration or swelling was observed even after 5 hours, but microscopy was difficult due to the cell segments in the hemolysis residue when a large amount of red cells was present. These results indicate the usefulness of RPMI 1640 as a washing fluid. The washing method allows recovery of a large amount of cells, and its combination with the direct smear method may be useful for achieving more accurate diagnosis.
