Liquid-based technology is becoming more widely used in cytology laboratories for gynecologic and non-gynecologic specimens. Like many other institutions we recently incorporated the liquid-based technology into our laboratory. We have an electron microscope facility in our department and utilize the TEM for ukrastructural evaluation of cytology specimens when additional information is needed. This study compares the preservation of cells from cytology specimens when prepared by routine methods and when placed in the preservative fluid for liquid-based preparations.

Routine smears were made from fine needle aspirations at the time of the procedure or from urine or body fluids on receipt. Some material from three of the non-gynecologic specimens was placed in CytoRich Red (TriPath Imaging, Burlington, NC) fluid. The specimens in CytoRich Red were then centrifuged, and the pellets were placed in 3% glutaraldehyde in cacodylate buffer. Eight body fluid or fine needle aspiration specimens in Plasma-Lyte (Baxter Healthcare Corp., Deerfield, IL) balanced electrolyte solution were centrifuged, and the pellets were placed in 3% glutaraldehyde in cacodylate buffer.