Processing liquid-based gynecologic specimens - Comparison of the available techniques

OBJECTIVE: To develop a cytopreparation protocol suitable for satisfactory processing by the AutoCyte (R) PREP System with the gynecologic specimens c ollected in PreservCyt (R) fluid for the ThinPrep (R) machine. STUDY DESIGN. The residue of a number of gynecologic specimens collected in PreservCyt (R) and processed by ThinPrep (R) were processed by AutoCyte (R ) PREP. Some modifications were made in the cytopreparatory protocol in ord er to obtain satisfactory specimens. RESULTS: The ThinPrep (R) and AutoCyte (R) PREP specimens were examined ind ependently. The results were comparable, with a high degree of concordance between the two techniques. CONCLUSION: Gynecologic specimens collected in PreservCyt (R) and following the ThinPrep (R) specimen collection protocol can be processed using the A utoCyte (R) PREP System. Minor protocol modifications provided comparable d iagnostic material. Additional studies are needed to explore the feasibilit y of this approach and fulfill the various U.S. regulatory agency requireme nts for the liquid-based Pap test.