AUTOCYTE SCREEN INTERACTIVE AUTOMATED PRIMARY CYTOLOGY SCREENING SYSTEM - A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION

OBJECTIVE: To perform a preliminary evaluation of the relative sensiti vity of a new interactive automated cytology, screening system (AutoCy te SCREEN, AutoCyte, Inc., Elon College, North Carolina, U.S.A.) desig ned as a primary screening system for AutoCyte PREP monolayer slides ( AutoCyte). STUDY DESIGN: Monolayer slides were prepared and evaluated in a masked review both manually and using the automated system. Human and machine performance was monitored and measured. RESULTS: Five hun dred eighty-three monolayer preparations, including 56 clearly abnorma l cases, were evaluated. The dual and combined computer and cytologist image evaluation resulted in a relatively low false positive rate, 20 .8%, and 1.8% false negative rate. Use of the system was efficient, si gnificantly reducing cytotechnologist screening time. CONCLUSION: The integrated AutoCyte cell preparation and automated screening approach seems to hold significant promise for primary cytology screening appli cations.