Processing Liquid-Based Gynecologic Specimens

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.