A comparison of three methods of orienting cervical punch biopsies

Aims-To compare methods of orienting cervical punch biopsies, since well or iented biopsies are needed to optimise the diagnosis and grading of cervica l intraepithelial neoplasia. Methods-The orientation, the presence and preservation of the squamocolumna r junction, and the presence or absence of the surface layers of the squamo us epithelium were compared in 345 cervical biopsies that had either been a ttached to paper (n = 112), floated directly into 10% formalin (n = 107), o r floated into a solution of 10% formalin including 0.05% eosin (n = 126) i n the colposcopy clinic. Results-When the specimens were mounted on filter paper before fixation, th ey were more likely to be optimally oriented, to have a preserved squamocol umnar junction, and to have intact surface epithelium than specimens that w ere handled using the other methods, even when the specimens floated off th e paper in transit. Conclusions-Cervical biopsy specimens should be mounted on paper before fix ation and submission to the laboratory.