Oral Exfoliative Cytology Research Articles

A phase contrast cytomorphometric study of oral exfoliated cells in diabetes mellitus patients - An original study

Background of Study: Diabetes is the most common endocrine-metabolic disease affecting worldwide. Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes with the help of oral exfoliative cytology is a simple, noninvasive technique. Evaluation of cytomorphometric changes in exfoliated buccal cells in diabetes can help in the early detection and examination of diabetes. Aim: The aim is to study and compare the cytomorphometric features of buccal mucosal cells of normal individuals and type 2 diabetes patients and to evaluate the role of phase-contrast microscopy for visualizing cytomorphological changes in unstained smears. Materials and Methods: Fifty known type 2 diabetic patients and fifty healthy individuals were taken as study group and control group, respectively. Smears were prepared from the buccal mucosa of both study and control groups. Fixed, unstained smears were viewed under phase-contrast microscope, and cytomorphometric analysis was done using image analysis software for evaluating nuclear area (NA), cytoplasmic area (CyA), and nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio. Results: A statistically significant increase in NA(P = 0.000), CyA (P = 0.000), and N/Cy ratio (P = 0.000) was obtained from the smears of the study group when compared with the control group. Conclusions: Cytomorphometric analysis of exfoliated cells can aid in predicting systemic disease such as type 2 diabetes. With the use of phase-contrast microscope, the cellular details can be easily and quickly evaluated and it is a cost-effective method in cytomorphometric studies.

Oral exfoliative cytology and corrosion of metal piercings. Tissue implications.

A group of adolescents with oral piercings was studied to determine the presence of metallic particles in cells exfoliated from the mucosa surrounding their metal oral piercings and the association between such particles and the metal jewelry, and to evaluate subsequent tissue implications. Sixteen teenage patients who had tongue and/or lip piercings were included. The clinical features of the oral mucosa and lip skin were evaluated. Exfoliative cytology was performed in the area surrounding the piercing. The surface of used and unused jewelry was studied by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Hyperplastic, leukoedematous, and lichenoid lesions were observed in the mucosa, as well as lesions associated with metallosis of the lip skin. Cytological smears showed the presence of particles inside the epithelial cells; the particles were found to contain aluminum, tungsten, and molybdenum. In one case requiring surgical removal of the piercing, histological examination of the tissue associated with the piece of jewelry showed the presence particles containing aluminum, iron, and tin inside multinucleated giant cells. Although surface finish defects were observed on both unused and used piercing jewelry, they were more evident on the used pieces. Ion particles are released from the metal piercings and could have been adjuvant factors in the development of the observed lesions. Cells exfoliated from the oral mucosa surrounding metal piercings may serve as bioindicators of corrosion processes. We propose the use of exfoliative cytology to monitor corrosion processes and for routine clinical follow up.

Effects of Diabetes and Hypertension on Oral Mucosa and TGFβ1 Salivary Levels.

in this cross-sectional study, whole stimulated saliva and oral mucosa exfoliative cytology specimens were collected from 39 patients that were healthy (control, n=10) or presented history of arterial hypertension (HAS, n=9), diabetes mellitus (DM, n=10) or both (DM+HAS, n=10). Salivary flow rate (SFR), TGFβ1 level in saliva, AgNORs and the epithelial maturation were evaluated. Non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's multiple comparison post-test and the Spearman test correlation analysis were used. SFR showed a significant decreased in DM and DM+HAS (0.47±0.11 and 0.64±0.43 mL/min) when compared to control (1.4±0.38 mL/min). DM+HAS presented the highest value of TGFβ1 concentration (24.72±5.89 pg/mL). It was observed a positive correlation between TGFβ1 and glycaemia (R=0.6371; p<0.001) and a negative correlation between TGFβ1 and saliva (R=-0.6162; p<0.001) and glycaemia and SFR (R=-0.5654; P=0.001). AgNORs number and status of maturation of mucosa cells were similar for all conditions. DM and DM+HAS presented the lowest SFR, which correlated with increased TGFβ1 levels. Despite the higher TGFβ1 secretion it was not observed changes in the morphology or proliferation of epithelial cells when diabetes or hypertension was present.

Comparative analysis of oral rinse-based cytology and conventional exfoliative cytology: A pilot study.

Oral exfoliative cytology is a novel technique of using cells to detect dysplastic changes in the oral cavity in potentially malignant disorders and malignant oral lesions in resourced challenged areas. The aim of this study was to compare specimen adequacy and cellular clarity between oral rinse-based smears and conventional smears in normal controls, histologically confirmed and clinically diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma, and oral leukoplakia. For many years, oral rinse-based cytology has been used to detect candidal colonization in microbiology. Emphasis has been placed to detect changes in oral rinse-based cytology. From this research and development, oral rinse-based cytology has evolved as a method of preparing samples for examination in cytopathology. Oral exfoliated cells from 10 cases of smears of potentially malignant disorders (oral leukoplakia), 10 cases of histologically confirmed and clinically diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma, and 10 controls with healthy mucosa were taken. Smears were stained with the Papanicolaou stain and were examined independently by two different oral pathologists. The results were compared to assess four parameters such as nuclear cytoplasmic ratio, sample adequacy, cellular distribution, and cellular clarity in both the smears. The results were then analyzed with SPSS (version 20) software using the descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics such as t-test and one-way ANOVA. The level of significance was set at 5%. Oral rinse-based cytology was significantly more efficient than conventional exfoliative cytology in terms of cellular clarity (P < 0.001), cellular distribution (P < 0.001), and sample adequacy (P < 0.001). Oral rinse-based cytology shows overall improvement in cellular clarity, sample adequacy as compared to traditional exfoliative cytology.

Tobacco-induced alterations in exfoliated oral epithelial cells: A comparative image analysis study

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalent neoplasm of the oral cavity. A strong relationship exists between tobacco smoking and development of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The mortality rate associated with head and neck cancers remains high, and thus detection techniques are important. Oral exfoliative cytology is a simple, noninvasive method that involves microscopic analysis of cells collected from the surface of oral mucosa which can reveal various cellular and nuclear alterations in squamous cell carcinoma. Aims: This study aims to analyze the cytomorphometric changes in smokers and nonsmokers and to compare and evaluate the efficacy of different stains, that is, Papanicolaou, Methyl green-pyronin, and Feulgen stains in assessing the oral smears. Patients and Methods: Study sample consists of 72 healthy individuals of 30–40 years including two groups (36 smokers and 36 nonsmokers) who had no clinically apparent oral mucosal lesions. Three smears were obtained from each subject with oral cytobrush and were then stained separately with Papanicolaou, Methyl green-pyronin, and Feulgen stains. Smears were observed and assessed for cytoplasmic diameter, nuclear diameter, and nuclear color intensity. Results: All three stains in our study showed significant variations in all three parameters between smokers and nonsmokers (P Conclusion: This study contributed to the fact that exfoliative cytology is a simple, noninvasive diagnostic technique for identifying cancerous changes in oral mucosa at an early stage for early intervention.

Detection of Cytomorphological Changes in Buccal Mucosal Cells of Type 2 Diabetic Patients Using Oral Exfoliative Cytology

AbstractBackground: Diabetes mellitus is an extremely common endocrine metabolic disorder that results in chronic hyperglycemia. It has effects on various tissues of the body. Due to this increased blood glucose levels considerable cellular changes occur in oral cavity as well. This field has attracted little research. The aim of the study was to analyze the changes in morphology and cytomorphometric measurements in the buccal mucosal cells of type 2 diabetic patients.Objectives: The Objective of this study was to detect the cytological and morphological alterations of oral epithelial cells, in type 2 diabetic patients and healthy control subjects in exfoliated cytology smears, to com-pare the cytoplasmic diameter, nuclear diameter, and nucleus: cytoplasm ratio in type 2 diabetics and heal-thy control subjects and to analyze the above mentioned cellular alterations in patients with controlled and uncontrolled diabetes.Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was performed in three groups on the bases of HbA1c levels. Group 1 was uncontrolled diabetics with HbA1C ≥ 7.0%, Gro-up 2 was well controlled diabetics with HbA1c ≤ 7.0% and Group 3 was Control healthy having HbA1C ≤ 5. 6%. Smears from normal buccal mucosa were obtai-ned from each subject and stained with Papanicolaou method. An eyepiece micrometer was used to take mean values of ND, CyD, and N: C ratio. Fifty (50) clearly defined cells were measured in each case in a step wise manner, to evade quantifying cells once more. Comparison of Nuclear Diameter (ND), Cytoplasmic Diameter (CY D) and ratio of two Diameters (N: C) among three groups was performed by using ANOVA. TUKEY’S test for post –hoc analysis was used where required.Results: The variability in diameter of nucleus among all three sample groups showed significant p-value &lt; 0.001.Whereas the measurement for cytoplasmic diameter between three groups was not significant (p-value 0.178). The ratio of nuclear diameter to cytoplasmic diameter calculated was significant (p-value &lt; 0.001). Hence it proved from the results that considerably exaggerated ND and N: C ratios were seen as the glycemic control (HbA1C) is poorer.Conclusion: The results suggested that nuclear size of buccal mucosal cells increased in type 2 diabetic pati-ents while no change was observed in cytoplasmic dimensions.

Buccal Mucosa Exfoliative Cell Prussian Blue Stain Co-Relates with Iron Overload in β-Thalassemia Major Patients.

Thalassemics require regular blood transfusion therapy leading to iron overload in the body tissues, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. We hereby attempted to measure this iron overload by means of exfoliative cytology, a non-invasive and inexpensive technique. The aims and objectives of our study were: 1. To detect iron overload by oral exfoliative cytology using Perl's Prussian blue stain in β-thalassemia major patients. 2. To correlate staining positivity with serum ferritin levels. Smears were obtained from buccal mucosa of 50 β-thalassemia major patients (who had taken more than 12 transfusions) and 25 healthy subjects of the same age group as controls. Smears were stained with Perl's Prussian blue. Blood samples were taken from the study group for estimation of serum ferritin levels. Grading criteria were defined for assessing the Prussian blue positivity. Perl's positivity was observed in 49 out of 50 of thalassemic patients (98%). 1 patient had Grade 0, 7 patients had Grade I, 5 had Grade II, 12 had Grade III, 14 had Grade IV while 11 patients had Grade V positivity. Spearman Rank's Correlation Co-efficient was 0.38, signifying a weak positive correlation between positivity of buccal smears for Perl's Prussian blue staining and respective serum ferritin levels. Perl's Prussian blue staining of exfoliated cells from buccal mucosa can be used to assess iron overload in β-thalassemia major patients, as a screening as well as diagnostic tool. With the grading system we can give a semi-quantitative assessment of the same.

Assessment of oral cytological features in smokers and nonsmokers after application of toluidine blue.

Smoking is the most important etiologic factor of oral cancer. Exfoliative cytology is the best method for early detection of oral cancer. Toluidine blue staining is used for detection of oral premalignant and malignant lesions. The aim of this study was to enhance the accuracy of oral exfoliative cytology in evaluating dysplastic features using toluidine blue staining. This clinical trials study was performed on 60 male smokers and nonsmokers without clinically oral lesion. Oral exfoliative cytological smears were prepared before and after application of toluidine blue and stained with Papanicolaou and evaluated under light microscope. Cytological features such as cellular clumping nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, cellular and nuclear pleomorphism, micronuclei, binucleation, presence of bacterial colonies, and keratin flakes were assessed and compared before and after application of toluidine blue. Results showed that cellular clumping and micronuclei were significantly decreased after application of toluidine blue and conversely cellular and nuclear pleomorphisms were significantly increased. Frequency of micronuclei and binucleation were greater in smokers than nonsmokers which were insignificant. Cellular and nuclear pleomorphisms were significantly higher in smokers than nonsmokers after application of toluidine blue. Toluidine blue improved cellular, nuclear, and structural features of oral cytological smears and filtered false-positive or false-negative results. Thus, application of toluidine blue in combination with oral exfoliative cytology for early detection of oral cancer is recommended. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:513-519. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Efficacy of oral exfoliative cytology in diagnosis of oral cancer

Background: Oral cancer is the major health hazard prevailing in the South Asia particularly in Indian subcontinent. Unlike other cancer, due to its accessibility the oral cancer can be detected at the early stage. Oral exfoliative cytology (OEC) is the simple, sensitive and noninvasive method that is well accepted by the patient and is, therefore, suitable for screening at risk population for early diagnosis of oral cancer and valuable adjuvant for gold standard biopsy. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of OEC in the detection of oral premalignant and malignant lesions in comparison to the histopathology. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 1510 lesions from 1481 patients underwent oral scrape cytology and were followed up with punch biopsy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated. Results: Out of 1510 lesions, 1121 were histopathologically confirmed cases of squamous cell carcinoma, out of which 1101 (98.2%) lesions tested positive on cytological examination, among which 987 (88.0%) lesion conclusive, 44 (3.9%) strongly suggestive of malignancy, and 59 (5.2%) suggestive but not conclusive of malignancy. Sensitivity for cytology was 95.91%, specificity was 99.17%, and accuracy was 96.68%. Conclusion: Oral exfoliative cytopathology showed high sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and accuracy with good diagnostic concordance with the histopathological method and that makes it a potentially practical tool in resource challenged settings. However, the histopathological method should always be performed when the cytopathological diagnosis is not conclusive.

Rapid detection of Candida albicans in oral exfoliative cytology samples by loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) rapidly amplifies DNA under isothermal conditions. The aim of this study was to detect Candida albicans and compare the positivity rate in the LAMP reaction with that of conventional methods for oral exfoliative cytology (EC) samples. Sixty-eight EC samples from 53 patients were subjected to LAMP analysis. These patients had been clinically diagnosed with leukoplakia, squamous cell carcinoma, oral lichen planus (OLP), stomatitis, oral candidiasis, and other malignancies. LAMP reactions were defined as positive when the sample turbidity exceeded 0.1 (arbitrary unit). Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and microbial culture were also performed to detect Candida species in EC samples. The LAMP reaction detected C. albicans in 42.6% of EC samples. Candida species were detected in 32.4% of the same samples by culturing and in 29.4% of samples by PAS staining. C. albicans DNA was detected most frequently in samples from OLP patients. We conclude that, in comparison to conventional methods for detection of C. albicans, the LAMP method is highly sensitive and time-saving, and does not require expensive equipment or diagnostic technology. It may therefore be useful for on-site screening of C. albicans at dental clinics.

Cytomorphometric analysis and morphological assessment of oral exfoliated cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy individuals: A comparative study.

Context:Oral exfoliative cytology is a simple, nonaggressive technique that is well accepted by patients. Therefore, it is an attractive option, which aids in the diagnosis and observation of epithelial atypias associated with oral mucosal diseases.Aims:The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the quantitative and qualitative alterations in exfoliative smears from type 2 diabetics and healthy individuals.Patients and Methods:The study includes 30 type 2 diabetics and 30 healthy persons of both sexes. PAP and hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stained smears were prepared from buccal mucosa (BM), tongue (T), floor of the mouth (FOM), and palate (P). Under a light microscope, 50 clearly defined unfolded epithelial cells were quantitatively evaluated for cellular area (CA), nuclear area (NA), and cellular-to-nuclear area ratio (CA:NA) and assessed for morphological features.Statistical Analysis:Collected data was manually entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 13.5 for analysis. Student's t-test was used at 95% confidence interval.Results:Quantitative assessment of the overall mean CA was less, mean NA was more, and mean CA:NA was less in diabetics than that in healthy persons at all the four sites. Diabetic oral cells showed qualiative cytoplasmic and nuclear alterations: cytoplasmic vacuoles, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, pyknosis, peri-nuclear halo, binucleation, nuclear vacuoles, inflammation, and microbial colonies.Conclusion:Oral cytology from type 2 diabetics is associated with detectable cytomorphological changes with alteration in size of the cell and nucleus, which is site specific, indicating epithelial cell degeneration in cytoplasm and nucleus.

Comparative cytomorphometric analysis of oral mucosa in patients with Diabetes, patients with associated oral habits but with apparently normal mucosa and Control group

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dysplastic changes that occur in the cell, nuclear morphology and diameter in Buccal smears of patients in the study groups. Background: Oral exfoliative cytology is a simple, non-invasive, and painless method that is well accepted by patients and involves microscopic analysis of cells collected from the surface of oral mucosa. Many factors affect the cytomorphology of the cells collected from oral mucosa. Some of these factors may be systemic disease; like anaemia and diabetes mellitus; radiotherapy; alcohol consumption and smoking. Cigarette and tobacco generally contain many carcinogenic substance mostly DNA-toxic carcinogens, however alcohol itself is not carcinogenic, but when combined with cigarettes or tobacco they have a worse impact on health. In exfoliative cytology various parameters such as nuclear size, cell and nuclear pleomorphism, nuclear membrane discontinuity, degenerative changes of nucleus and nuclear cytoplasmic ratio can be analysed. Materials and Method: Smears were taken from the buccal mucosa of 5 patients with Diabetes, 5 patients with adverse oral habits but with apparently normal mucosa and 5 patients with normal mucosa. All the smears were stained using H & E stain and Papanicoloau stain and evaluated using research microscope and image analysis software. Reason: To explore the potential of Exfoliative cytology as a diagnostic adjunct in patients with Diabetes and in patients with Associated habits but apparently normal mucosa.

Screening of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders Using Exfoliative Cytology: A Diagnostic Modality.

Objective. Oral exfoliative cytology (OEC) has been implemented in the diagnosis of pathologic lesions for ages. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the cytomorphological features of some of the commonest potentially malignant disorders (leukoplakia, lichen planus, and oral submucous fibrosis) through a simple procedure and illustrate its importance in mass screening. Materials and Method. A total of 160 subjects with 25–50 years of age were included in the study. Among them, 40 were clinically diagnosed with oral leukoplakia, 40 were diagnosed with oral lichen planus, 40 were diagnosed with oral submucous fibrosis, and 40 were in the control group. The prepared smears were subjected to Papanicolaou stain and analyzed microscopically for the evaluation of the cytomorphological features. Results and Discussion. When analyzed microscopically, 36 (90%) out of the 40 oral leukoplakic lesions showed Class II cytological features whereas 4 (10%) revealed Class I features. Among 40 patients with oral lichen planus, 26 (65%) showed Class II features while the remaining 14 (35%) revealed Class I features. In 40 subjects with oral submucous fibrosis, 32 (80%) showed Class II features while the other 8 (20%) showed Class I features. All the 40 control subjects showed Class I features. Thus, OEC can be widely advocated as an addition to clinical conclusion and an adjunct to biopsy.

Levels of salivary thiocyanate and its relation with occurrence of micronuclei using exfoliative cytology in smokers and nonsmokers

To evaluate the levels of salivary thiocyanate and its relation with the occurrence of micronuclei (MN) using exfoliative cytology in smokers and nonsmokers. One hundred and twenty patients were divided into 3 groups: nonsmoker group 1 (control), smokers group 2, and smokers group 3. Their saliva was collected and analyzed for thiocyanate levels, and exfoliative cytology was evaluated for the presence of MN. Fisher's exact test and ANOVA test were used. It was seen that as the grade of smoking increased, the levels of salivary thiocyanate and occurrence of MN increased. Detection and quantification of "biomarkers" such as salivary thiocyanate and MN in noninvasive and painless procedures such as oral exfoliative cytology can be an upcoming research domain in the field of cancer prevention and therapeutics.

Effects of Tobacco Smoking on the Dorsum of the Tongue and Buccal Epithelium

Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the effects of tobacco smoking on the dorsum of the tongue and buccal epithelium.Methodology:This case control cross-sectional study was conducted with 174 smoking and non-smoking volunteers living in the city of Hail, Northern KSA. Cytological Materials were obtained from buccal mucosa and dorsum of the tongue, and assessed using cytopathological methods.Results:In buccal smears, cytological atypia was observed in 17 out of 101 (16.8%) smoker cases but only 3/73(4.1%) of the controls. For cytological atypia in buccal and tongue smears, the adjusted odd ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were found to be 4.7 (1.3-16.8), P < 0.016)) and 4.3 (0.93- 20.2), P <0.06)), respectively, in the two sites.Conclusion:Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for occurrence of cytological atypia, which might subsequently develop into oral precancerous and cancerous lesions. Oral exfoliative cytology is an easy and cheap non-invasive procedure which appears highly suitable for screening populations at risk of developing oral cancer.

Cytomorphometric and nucleomorphometeric analysis in patients with malignant lesion, patients with associated habits but with apparently normal mucosa and control group

Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the dysplastic changes, changes in the cell and nuclear morphology and diameter in Buccal smears of patients in study groups. Background: Oral exfoliative cytology is a simple and relatively pain free procedure.Oral exfoliative cytological technique has been used for the detection of oral premalignant malignant lesions. In exfoliative cytology various parameters such as nuclear size, cell and nuclear pleomorphism, nuclear membrane discontinuity, degenerative changes of nucleus and nuclear cytoplasmic ratio can be analysed. Materials and method: Smears were taken from the buccal mucosa of 10 patients with malignant lesion, 10 patients with associated habits but apparently normal mucosa and 10 healthy individuals (control group). All the smears were stained and evaluated using research microscope and image analysis software. Reason: To explore the potential of Exfoliative cytology as a diagnostic adjunct in patients with malignant disorders and in patients with associated habits but apparently normal mucosa.

Paracoccidioidomycosis prevalence in a public laboratory of the Brazilian unified health system

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic fungal disease with oral manifestations that is the most prevalent in Latin America. The purpose of this cross-sectional epidemiological study was to examine the prevalence of PCM in the Public Laboratory (MT Laboratory) of the Brazilian Unified Health System in Mato Grosso. The following data from 3670 cytological and histopathological reports of oral lesions issued by the MT Laboratory over a 4-year (2004-2008) period were analyzed: diagnostic method (oral exfoliative cytology or biopsy), diagnosis by year, origin of cases (urban or rural), and patient gender and age. In the assessment period, 96 cases (2.6%) of PCM were diagnosed. Most cases originated from rural areas (94%), and PCM was the most prevalent in men (97.9%) and in the fifth decade of life (35.4%). These results show that Mato Grosso had a considerable number of PCM cases over a small period, suggesting that this state is an endemic region for PCM in Brazil.

Oral exfoliative cytology as a screening tool for iron overload in β-thalassemia patients.

Background:Increased iron overload is frequent problem in thalassemia patients, and this is monitored by serum ferritin levels or chemical assessment of the iron levels in liver tissue. However, repeated monitoring of serum ferritin levels to assess the iron overload is an invasive procedure associated with practical problems.Aims:To use Perl's Prussian blue reaction to evaluate the iron overload in beta-thalassemia patients by staining the oral cytosmears.Materials and Methods:The study comprised 35 patients diagnosed with beta-thalassemia. Cytosmears were prepared from exfoliated oral epithelial cells, fixed in 70% ethanol and stained with Perl's Prussian blue stain for detection of blue colored granules in the cytoplasm.Results:29/35 (82.9%) cases showed a positive reaction for Perl's Prussian blue reaction while 6/35 (17%) cases did not show the presence of blue colored granules in the oral cytosmears. The presence of iron detected by Perl's Prussian blue reaction correlated with serum ferritin level (P < 0.05).Conclusion:Perl's Prussian blue reaction can be used to evaluate the iron overload in beta-thalassemia patients by staining the oral cytosmears. It is a simple and noninvasive method for assessment of iron overload in such patients.

Micronuclei frequency as an early diagnostic tool for detection of Oral Cancer: A comparative study

Aim & Objectives: To assess and compare the levels of micronuclei in oral exfoliative cytology of healthy controls and potentially malignant and malignant oral disorders subjects and also to compare according to different ages and gender. Material & Method: A total of 50 patients with oral lesions and 50 healthy controls were randomly selected for the study. The subjects were divided into control group and study group. The study group was further subdivided into premalignant and malignant oral disorders. Oral mucosal cells were scraped from buccal mucosa of control group and from lesional tissues of study group using a premoistened wooden spatula. The slides were prepared which were then stained with 10% Giemsa solution and the frequency of micronuclei in epithelial cells were evaluated by scoring 1000 cells on each slide. Results: Micronuclei frequency was significantly higher in malignant oral disorder group as compared to potentially malignant disorder group and control group. Also, it was significantly higher in potentially malignant disorder group as compared to control group (P value < 0.001). Conclusion: Micronuclei frequency increases in buccal exfoliated cells of patients with increased risk of cancer; hence, it can be used as an early diagnostic tool for oral precancer and cancer detection. Key words: Micronuclei frequency, Potentially malignant disorders, Malignant oral disorders, Exfoliative cytology

Improvization of conventional cytology by centrifuged liquid-based cytology in oral exfoliative cytology specimen.

Background:Exfoliative cytology is the microscopic examination of shed or desquamated cells from the epithelial surface. Centrifuged liquid-based cytology (CLBC) is a modified technique that was used in the current study.Aims:To compare the efficacy of CLBC with conventional cytology in apparently normal mucosa after staining with Papanicolaou (PAP) stain.Materials and Methods:Fifty cases of apparently normal mucosa from healthy subjects were selected for the study. The first sample was taken and spread on the slide by the conventional technique. The second sample was flushed out in a suspending solution, centrifuged, and the cell pellet obtained was used to make the smear. The stained smears were compared for seven parameters such as adequate cellularity, clear background, uniform distribution, cellular overlapping, cellular elongation, mucus, and inflammatory cells. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis and P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results:There was a statistically significant difference between CLBC and conventional cytology with parameters such as adequate cellularity (P = 0.001), clear background (P = 0.001), uniform distribution (0.005), cellular overlapping, and cellular elongation (P = 0). The presence of mucus and inflammatory cells was minimal as the samples were collected from healthy subjects.Conclusion:CLBC has better efficacy over the conventional method in all the parameters analyzed.