[Polyethylene glycol in cytological puncture of the prostate]

Advantages of the use of polyethylene glycol (Fix-Frot solution) in prostate cytology were evaluated during a comparative study between a preliminary series of 75 examinations using conventional cytology techniques and a second series of 52 examinations using polyethylene glycol. The percentage of blank punctures decreased from 22.6 to 3.8%. Fixation was optimal and immediate; hemolysis of punctured red cells is ensured and use of Pananicolaou's stain allows very high quality analysis. The excellent sensitivity of prostate puncture cytology and its lack of complications place this procedure at the head of diagnostic explorations of prostate. Nevertheless, prostate cytology is difficult to perform and requires the availability of a very experienced cytologist.