Rehydrated Air Dried Smears: Alternative Method in Exfoliative Cytology and cytological changes

Abstract

This study was conducted at different health centers in Khartoum state, during the period between June 2007 to March 2008. This study aims at the evaluation of the effect of rehydration of air dried smear compared with conventional wet prepared smears in cervical cytology. Also to demonstrate the incidence of atypical cells among the studied group. Fifty cervical smears were collected from women attending different health centers. Smears were prepared using three different techniques; conventional wet fixed pap stain, rehydration of air dried smear using Normal saline post fixed by 95% ethanol and air dried methanol fixed giemsa stain. This study showed that there was no significant difference between rehydrated air dried smears in which 18% showed excellent stain, 70% showed good stain and 12% with poor stain and conventional wet prepared smear in which 20% showed excellent stain, 70% showed good stain and 10% with poor stain. There was significant difference between rehydrated air dried smear, conventional wet prepared smears versus air dried giemsa stained smears in which 0% showed excellent stain, 54% showed good stain and 46% with poor stain. In this study the incidence of atypical cells was seen in the age group (45- 55 years), and among having low education level, also the incidence increased in those of more to than six previous pregnancies. Also atypical cells were detected in contraceptive pills users. Further studies are recommended to confirm these findings, and to implement this new procedure in non gynecological cytology.