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Updated: Aug 2, 2026
Cell Block Preparation from Cytology Specimen with Predominance of Individually Scattered Cells
Published on: July 21, 2009
Processing liquid-based gynecologic specimens: comparison of the available techniques
P K Gupta1, Z W Baloch, C Cobbs
1Cytopathology and Cytometry Section, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia 19104, USA. guptap@uphs.upenn.edu
Objective:
To develop a cytopreparation protocol suitable for satisfactory processing by the AutoCyte PREP System with the gynecologic specimens collected in PreservCyt fluid for the ThinPrep machine.
Study Design:
The residue of a number of gynecologic specimens collected in PreservCyt and processed by ThinPrep were processed by AutoCyte PREP. Some modifications were made in the cytopreparatory protocol in order to obtain satisfactory specimens.
Results:
The ThinPrep and AutoCyte PREP specimens were examined independently. The results were comparable, with a high degree of concordance between the two techniques.
Conclusion:
Gynecologic specimens collected in PreservCyt and following the ThinPrep specimen collection protocol can be processed using the AutoCyte PREP System. Minor protocol modifications provided comparable diagnostic material. Additional studies are needed to explore the feasibility of this approach and fulfill the various U.S. regulatory agency requirements for the liquid-based Pap test.
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