Efficacy of Fine Needle Capillary Sampling in the Diagnosis of Stage III and IV Cervical Carcinoma

Abstract

To test the sensitivity of fine needle capillary sampling (FNCS) as compared to scrape cytology in cervical carcinoma, stage III and IV, and to study the quality of material obtained by FNCS. Prospective. In 48 cases of cervical carcinoma, clinically stage III and IV, FNCS was done along with scrape cytology. The results were compared, considering histopathology as the gold standard. The quality of material obtained by both methods was compared using the parameters background, cellularity and cellular preservation. FNCS had a sensitivity of 87.5% as against 62.5% for scrape cytology. Material obtained by FNCS had a cleaner background and better cellularity and morphologic preservation. FNCS is superior to scrape cytology for the diagnosis of stage III and IV cervical carcinoma.