Fine needle aspiration cytology of cervical lymph nodes: Comparison of liquid based cytology (SurePath) and conventional preparation

Abstract

Background Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is the first diagnostic step in patient with cervical lymphadenopathy because of its simplicity, safety and early availability of the results. Liquid‐based cytology (LBC) is an alternative processing method which is used for both gynecological and nongynecological samples. Literature reviewed show few studies comparing LBC with conventional preparation (CP). Aim The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of LBC and comparison of LBC and CP in cervical lymphadenopathy. Materials and Methods In this prospective study, a total of 75 cases of FNAC with cervical lymphadenopathy were included. The first pass was used for CP followed by LBC with the use of SurePath (SP) technique. Both the smears were compared for cellularity, background containing blood, cell debris, lymphoglandular bodies, stromal fragments, cytoarchitectural pattern, etc., by semiquantitative scoring system. Results There was no statistical difference in the cellularity, cell architecture, and monolayer cells (P > .05). On the basis of background containing blood, cell debris, lympho‐glandular bodies, stromal fragments (P < .001), nuclear, and cytoplasmic details (P < .05), LBC was found to be superior to CP. Conclusion LBC is a relatively simple technique and superior to CP in respect of better nuclear and cytoplasmic details with loss of background blood and debris. It has a diagnostic accuracy equivalent to that of CP. However, use of both LBC and CP can result in better diagnostic accuracy.

Diagnostic value of liquid‐based cytology test in intrathoracic lymph nodes and lung lesions sampled by endobronchial ultrasonography‐transbronchial needle aspiration

“…Rapid and proper fixation is a specific advantage of LBC that provides cytopathologists with fewer air‐drying artifacts, as well as well‐preserved nuclear and cytoplasmic details 11,12 . Due to these advantages, the ND cases in our study comprised 3.0% in the LBC group, which is approximately four times less than in the CG.…”

Assessment of the diagnostic usefulness of liquid-based cytology. The impact of modifications

“…Based on their observations, the authors concluded that LBC was advantageous in comparison to conventional cytology in the diagnosis of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. The material was developed and stained by the PAP method with a BD PrepStain slide processor (SP) [3]. In diagnosing cervical lymphadenopathy, Bandoh et al found LBC from FNA material from lymph nodes to be useful in the identification of metastases -largely through greater diagnostic accuracy by reduction of nondiagnostic preparations.…”

“…The liquid-based cytology method makes it possible to obtain a cleaner background, increased cellularity and well-preserved nuclear details through technically improved sample preparation for diagnosis. However, the method remains a diagnostic challenge as the sample processing technique and preservative fluid may change cell morphology and introduce artifacts [3].…”