Liquid Based Cytology method versus Conventional Direct Smears method in Cervical Cytology

Abstract

This study was carried out in Khartoum State at the Reproductive Health Center during the period from December 2006 to June 2008. The study evaluated Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) versus Conventional Direct Smear DS in 100 cervical smears using Pap procedure. Unsatisfactory smears were observed in 2(2%) and 10(10%) in DS and LBC respectively. Cytological findings identified bacterial infections in 13(13%), 9(9%), Trichomoniasis detected in 6(6%), 4(4%), Candidiasis in 3(3%), 1(1%).Herpes in 2(2%), 2(2%), HPV in 1(1%), 1(1%). Low grade dyskaryosis (LD) in 3(3%), 2(2%), high grade dyskaryosis (HD) in 1(1%), 0(0%), carcinoma in 1(1%), 1(1%) in DS and LBC respectively. The mean time of smear reading is 4.6 and 2.8 min in DS and LBC respectively. Staining quality disclosed no significant differences in both preparations. In conclusion direct conventional smear is superior to LBC in the diagnosis of infections and intraepithelial lesions and improve specimens adequacy. LBC is less reliable and should not replace DS methodology, especially in the cervical screening program in low resource settings like Sudan. Further long term studies at high risk population with the use of HPV testing and automation are required to verify these findings.