Application of liquid-based preparation to non-gynaecologic exfoliative cytology

Thin-layer cytology (TLC) is an automated method for processing cells harvested in a liquid solution and collected onto a single slide. The leftover material can be used for other techniques such as immunocytochemistry, molecular biology and flow cytometry. TLC has been applied with good results in exfoliative cytology of pulmonary, urinary, gastrointestinal and oral districts as well as in the evaluation of serous effusions. The main advantages of TLC over conventional techniques (CS) are: (a) simplification of the sampling technique; (b) decrease in cellular artefacts leading to a lesser amount of inadequate diagnoses; and (c) applicability of additional investigations. The limits of TLC are: (a) changes in the morphologic picture of some lesions; (b) increase of the workload for technical staff; and (c) increased cost. The application of TLC to non-gynaecologic specimens favours many innovative developments and can be regarded as an appropriate substitute for CS.