HOMOGENIZATION OF SPUTUM WITH DITHIOTHREITOL FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY MALIGNANCIES

Homogenization of sputum with dithiothreitol (DTT) has not been used i n cytology for the detection of malignant cells. We examined the effic acy of this method as compared to the conventional ''pick and smear'' (PS) method. Smears were prepared from sputum samples using the PS tec hnique to act as the control. The remaining sputum was digested with a n equal volume of 0.3% DTT in 70% ethanol at room temperature. The cel ls were washed with 35% ethanol and smears prepared. The DTT-treated s pecimens gave a much higher concentration of evenly distributed cells. The background was clear and the morphology comparable to that of the control. More positive cases were detected with the DTT than the conv entional PS technique. Homogenization of sputum with DTT is a simple a nd effective method of screening for pulmonary malignancies.