Collection of cytological specimens with a cell aspirator with reference to the wooden spatula method: II. Comparative quantitative and qualitative studies

Abstract

This article describes the results of comparative quantitative and qualitative examinations of specimens obtained by testing 65 individuals by means of a cell aspirator and a wooden spatula. The studies were performed on a clinically normal mucosa as well as on different mucosal lesions. A statistical analysis of the cells obtained showed that the cell aspirator quantitatively produced significantly better results both with regard to the total number of cells obtained and to the number of epithelial cells in the different stages of maturity. The number of cells obtained turned out to be dependent on surface structure and the size of the lesion, however, Qualitatively the cell aspirator collected epithelial cells which were better preserved morphologically, but also a larger number of compact cell clusters. The number of erythrocytes was low. The structure of these blood cells was well preserved, indicating bleeding arising in connection with the taking of the specimens. The number of leucocytes was larger in the aspirated material. The degrees of fixation and staining were similar. The authors make recommendations for using the cell aspirator in such a manner as to obtain the best qualitative results.