ThinPrep cytology in clinical practice

Objective: To compare ThinPrep cytology to conventional cytology in a gynecologic oncology practice in a university hospital laboratory setting.Methods: From March to September 1997, all Papanicolaou smears in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology were collected with a cervical broom device. A conventional cytology slide was prepared. The broom was then immersed in a Preserv-Cyt and processed. As required for ThinPrep cytology. Managed care patients are not included in this analysis. All cytology specimens were evaluated by the same physician (PE). Increased detection of abnormalities was calculated by the formula increased detection=ThinPrep+-conventional+x100%conventional+Results: A total of 172 split samples were available for analysis. Twenty-two patients (12.7%) had LGSIL or worse. Forty-three patients (25%) had ASCUS or worse cytology.Conclusion: ThinPrep cytology demonstrated marginally improved detection of LGSIL or worse. The extremely high rate of cytologic abnormality and high quality cytologic service in our institution may explain the minimal improvement seen.