THE CELL-SWEEP - A NEW CERVICAL CYTOLOGY SAMPLING DEVICE

The Cell-Sweep, a new cervical cytology sampling device, was prospecti vely evaluated. From September 1, 1999, to October 31, 1992, 548 cervi cal cytology smears were prepared using the Cell-Sweep. They were comp ared to 524 cervical smears performed between January 2, 1993, and Feb ruary 28, 2993, using the Cytobrush and Ayre spatula. One smear in the Cell-Sweep group and nine in the Cytobrush/Ayre spatula group were un satisfactory for evaluation secondary to drying artifact (P <.01). Sev en (1.2%) of the Cell-Sweep smears and 13 (2.4%) of the Cytobrush/Ayre spatula smears were inadequate due to obscurving of the epithelial ce lls by blood (P = .11). Of the smears obtained with the Cell-Sweep, 66 (12%) contained no endocervical component versus 42 (8%) of the smear s obtained with the Cytobrush/Ayre spatula (P = .03). In the Cell-Swee p group there were 130 (23.7%) abnormal smears versus 110 (20.9%) in t he Cy Cytobrush/Ayre spatula group (P = .3). However, high grade squam ous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) were identified in 10 (1.8%) smears obtained with the Cell-Sweep and in 2 (0.4%) obtained with the Cytbru sh/Ayre spatula (P = .02). The Cell-Sweep produced a small proportion Of unsatisfactory smears due to drying artifact or blood. Even though the proportion of smears lacking endocervical cells was statistically greater with the Cell-Sweep than with the Cytobrush/Ayre spatula, ther e was no difference in the rate of detection of atypical squamous cell s and low grade SIL. The Cell-Sweep appears to detect an increased num ber of high grade SILs. This device deserves further study with histop athologic correlation.