Endometrial collection and interpretation using the Tao brush and the CytoRich fixative system: a feasibility study

Quantifying procedural pain associated with office gynecologic tract sampling methods

OBJECTIVE

Emerging technologies may enable detection of endometrial cancer with methods that are less invasive than standard biopsy methods. This study compares patient pain scores among 3 office gynecologic tract sampling methods and explores their potential determinants.

METHODS

A prospective study including 3 sampling methods (tampon, Tao brush (TB), endometrial biopsy (EB)) was conducted between December 2015 and August 2017 and included women ≥45 years of age presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, or thickened endometrial stripe. Patients rated pain after each sampling procedure using a 100-point visual analog scale (VAS).

RESULTS

Of 428 enrolled, 190 (44.39%) patients underwent all 3 sampling methods and reported a VAS score for each. Nearly half were postmenopausal (n = 93, 48.9%); the majority were parous (172, 90.5%) of which 87.8% had at least one vaginal delivery. Among the 190 patients, the median (IQR) pain score was significantly lower for sampling via tampon (0 [0,2]) compared to TB (28 [12, 52]) or EB (32 [15, 60]) (both p < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Among women who underwent tampon sampling, age and pain scores showed a weak positive correlation (Spearman rank correlation, r = 0.14; p = 0.006); EB sampling was associated with a weak inverse correlation between parity and pain scores (r = -0.14; p = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

Gynecologic tract sampling using a tampon had significantly lower pain than both EB and TB. Pain with tampon sampling was positively correlated with age and pain with EB sampling was inversely correlated with parity. Pain scores for TB and EB were not significantly related to age, menopausal status, or BMI.

Clinical actionability of molecular targets in endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer accounts for ~76,000 deaths among women each year worldwide. Disease mortality and the increasing number of new diagnoses make endometrial cancer an important consideration in women's health, particularly in industrialized countries, where the incidence of this tumour type is highest. Most endometrial cancers are carcinomas, with the remainder being sarcomas. Endometrial carcinomas can be classified into several histological subtypes, including endometrioid, serous and clear cell carcinomas. Histological subtyping is currently used routinely to guide prognosis and treatment decisions for endometrial cancer patients, while ongoing studies are evaluating the potential clinical utility of molecular subtyping. In this Review, we summarize the overarching molecular features of endometrial cancers and highlight recent studies assessing the potential clinical utility of specific molecular features for early detection, disease risk stratification and directing targeted therapies.

Validation of Molecular Typing for Endometrial Screening Test That Predicts Benign and Malignant Lesions

The aim of this study is to examine the immunocytochemical expression of p53, Ki-67, and CA125 in endometrial brush samples for endometrial cancer. Forty-four patients were recruited with liquid-based cytology preparations during a 5-month period. Both the histological and cytological samples were assessed by histology based on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and the expression of p53, CA125, and Ki-67 in endometrial cells was examined by immunocytochemistry. The percentage and intensity of endometrial cells were scored on a scale of 0-3. The final score was calculated by the addition of all partial scores, and then Probit model was used to predict the possibility for malignant lesions. The mean immunoreactivity score of the three immunocytochemical biomarkers (p53, CA125, and Ki-67) in the positive group (including atypical hyperplastic cells and malignant cells) was significantly higher than in the negative group (benign cells and non-atypical hyperplastic cells). The possibility value of the positive group was also significantly higher than the negative group (P < 0.05). The cutoff value of the possibility value was 0.754, the sensitivity and specificity of which were 86.4 and 95.5%. The assessment of p53, CA125, and Ki-67 combined with the prediction model is valuable for the detection of endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia in endometrial cytology.

Endometrial Cytology as a Method to Improve the Accuracy of Diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer: Case Report and Meta-Analysis

More and more researchers have reported that dilatation and curettage (D&C) or Pipelle had low accuracy, high misdiagnosis, and insufficient rate. Endometrial cytology is often compared with histology and seems to be an efficient method for the diagnosis of endometrial disorders, especially endometrial cancer. We report a case of misdiagnosed endometrial cancer by D&C, but with a positive cytopathological finding. Following that, a meta-analysis including 4,179 patients of endometrial diseases with cyto-histopathological results was performed to assess the value of the endometrial cytological method in endometrial cancer diagnosis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the cytological method in detecting endometrial atypical hyperplasia or cancer was 0.91[95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-0.97] and 0.96 (95% CI 0.90-0.99), respectively. The pooled positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio was 25.4 (95% CI 8.1-80.1) and 0.10 (95% CI 0.00-0.30), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio which was usually used to evaluate the diagnostic test performance reached 260 (95% CI 36-1905). So we recommend that D&C and Pipelle are still practical procedures to evaluate the endometrium, cytological examinations should be utilized as an additional endometrial assessment method.

A novel solution configuration on liquid-based endometrial cytology

OBJECTIVE

Early detection and diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma and precancerous change would undoubtedly become the most alluring part for researchers. With the emergence of endometrial brush samplers, a new upsurge in endometrial cytology is in the making. But endometrial specimens obtained by the endometrial brush samplers require special preservation solution. The objective of this study is to develop a new kind of endometrial-cell preservation solution and to test the availability compared with a patented liquid-based cell preservation solution.

METHODS

In this controlled study, we had 5 endometrial cases collected with Li Brush from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (09/2016 to 12/2016). The samples of each case were collected 2 times separately and perserved in different perservation solutions. One was a kind of novel endometrial cell preservation solution and the other was a kind of patented liquid-based cell (LBC) preservation solution. The endometrial cells were smeared on slides by using the ZP-C automated slide preparation system and stained with Papanicolaou stain. A semi-quantitative scoring system was used to analyze the quality of slides. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test on the SPSS program (SPSS 18.0). In all LBC preparations, endometrial cells from the novel endometrial cells preservation solution had more cell quantity, less red blood cell fragments, and the background was cleaner compared with control group. Although the novel endometrial-cell preservation solution showed cellularity and absence of blood and debris expressed by no statistically significant differences (p = 0.063 and 0.102 respectively). The preservation period of the two kinds of liquids was equivalent.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel endometrial-cell preservation solution is superior to the liquid-base cell preservation solution for cervical cells, with clear background, diagnostic cells and low cost.

Novel approaches to early detection of endometrial cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Detection of endometrial cancer at an early stage leads to better oncologic outcomes. To date, a screening test for endometrial cancer does not exist.

RECENT FINDINGS

Evolving knowledge of molecular changes involved in endometrial cancer carcinogenesis paired with sensitive and high-throughput technological advancements are a promising combination that can be leveraged to detect tumor DNA and proteins. These molecular biomarkers can be identified in biospecimens collected via minimally invasive and noninvasive approaches. Exploiting lower genital tract secretions as a biospecimen also allows for patient self-sampling.

SUMMARY

Successful development of a screening test for endometrial cancer using self-collected lower genital tract biospecimens has the potential to increase accessibility to care and improve patient compliance.

Endometrial sampling devices for early diagnosis of endometrial lesions

Purpose

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecologic malignancy in both developed and some developing countries. Unlike cervical cancer, for which there is routine screening, only patients symptomatic for endometrial carcinoma typically seek medical help for its diagnosis and treatment. Dilatation and curettage (D&C) has been the standard procedure for evaluating suspicious endometrial lesions. The discomfort and injury caused by the D&C procedure, however, restrict its use as a screening method for early diagnosis of endometrial lesions. High-risk endometrial cancer patients would benefit from an effective and low-cost screening test. In recent years, several endometrial devices have been developed and proposed as screening tools.

Methods

We have reviewed and evaluated the literature relating to the endometrial sampling devices in clinical use or clinical trials, with the goal of comparing devices and identifying the most appropriate ones for screening for endometrial lesions. Eligible literature was identified from systematic PubMed searches, and the relevant data were extracted. Comments, letters, unpublished data, conference proceedings, and case reports were excluded from our search. Seventy-four articles on endometrial sampling devices were obtained for this review.

Results

The main screening devices for endometrial carcinoma are aspiration devices (such as the Vabra aspirator), Pipelle, Tao Brush, and SAP-1 device. Among these devices, the Tao Brush is the most promising endometrial sampler for screening for endometrial lesions. However, its sampling insufficiency, cost, and unsuccessful insertion rate (20 % in nulliparous and 8 % in parous women) are problematic.

Conclusions

A more accurate and low-cost endometrial sampler, with improved specimen sufficiency and higher sensitivity for endometrial lesions, needs tobe developed and clinically verified.

Detection of chromosomal anomalies in endometrial atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma by using fluorescence in situ hybridization

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer is the most common pelvic gynecological malignancy. The diagnosis of well-differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma, atypical hyperplasia, and hyperplasia is often challenging. The authors sought to investigate the utility of chromosomal anomalies for the detection of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma using multitarget fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

METHODS

Samples were collected by endometrial Tao brush and processed by liquid-based cytological preparation protocol from consecutive cases to include 50 benign, 50 hyperplasia without atypia, 47 atypical hyperplasia, and 53 endometrial cancers. Each was hybridized using fluorescence-labeled DNA probes to chromosomes 1, 8, and 10. The FISH signals were enumerated in 100 cells per case, and the chromosomal anomalies were correlated with pathologic findings, including histologic diagnoses on matched endometrial tissue samples.

RESULTS

Numeric chromosomal anomalies were found in 0% (0 of 50) of benign, 20% (10 of 50) of hyperplasia, 74% (35 of 47) of atypical hyperplasia, and 87% (46 of 53) of carcinoma specimens. The mean percentage of cells with chromosomal changes was 55% in cancer specimens, which was significantly higher than that in hyperplasia without atypia (13%, P < .0001) and atypical hyperplasia (32%, P = .003). The most frequent chromosomal anomaly was gain of chromosome 1. FISH anomalies had an overall sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 90% for the detection of atypical hyperplasia and/or endometrial carcinoma. There was no association with grade of endometrial carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Multitarget FISH appears to be useful for the differential diagnosis of hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia, and endometrial adenocarcinoma, with a high level of sensitivity and specificity. It is also a potential tool for the early detection of neoplastic cells in endometrial cytology specimens. Endometrial hyperplasia with FISH-detected chromosomal anomalies may represent a clinically significant subset of cases that warrant close clinical follow-up.

Direct uterine sampling with the Tao brush sampler using a liquid-based preparation method for the detection of endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cytology sampling devices for direct uterine sampling have been shown in previous studies to be a reliable and relatively painless method for detecting endometrial lesions. The purpose of the current study was to determine the performance characteristics of endometrial cytology for the detection of malignancy and atypical hyperplasia using liquid-based cytology specimens collected with the Tao brush sampler.

METHODS

Brushings of the endometrial cavity were obtained from 139 hysterectomy specimens before routine histopathologic evaluation. Cytology specimens were fixed in PreservCyt and processed using ThinPrep technology. Cytology diagnoses were classified as nondiagnostic, negative, atypical, or positive for malignancy. Histopathologic findings were used as the gold standard for determining the performance characteristics of cytology.

RESULTS

Histopathologic results from the 139 patients included 81 (58%) endometrial cancers, 7 (5%) complex hyperplasias with atypia, 2 (1%) complex hyperplasias without atypia, and 49 (35%) patients with benign histology. The number of specimens diagnosed cytologically as positive, atypical, negative, or nondiagnostic was 60 (43%), 40 (29%), 37 (27%), and 2 (1%) specimens, respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity of cytology for detecting endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia were 95% and 66% when atypical cytology specimens were considered positive.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study indicate that direct endometrial sampling by liquid-based endometrial cytology collected with the Tao brush sampler produces specimens that contain cellular material that may be identified as endometrial cancer or atypical hyperplasia. Both atypical and positive cytology diagnoses are indicators for triage to more specific methods of diagnosis.

Factors affecting adequacy of Pipelle and Tao Brush endometrial sampling

OBJECTIVE

To compare factors influencing adequacy of endometrial samples obtained using two outpatient sampling devices--Pipelle and Tao Brush.

DESIGN

Pragmatic unblinded trial with investigation schedule randomised separately within two groups according to endometrial cancer risk.

SETTING

Gynaecology outpatient clinic of a large city hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland.

POPULATION

All women referred to a gynaecology outpatient clinic during a 28-month period complaining of abnormal vaginal bleeding.

METHODS

Women were assigned to two 'risk groups' for endometrial cancer ('high risk' for postmenopausal women and 'moderate risk' for premenopausal women aged over 40 years or with other risk factors). Women in each risk group had both types of biopsy and were randomised to two outpatient visualisations: hysteroscopy and/or transvaginal ultrasound scan.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Completion of the investigation, adequacy of sample and acceptability of investigation to women.

RESULTS

In 200 high-risk women, adequate samples were significantly more likely to be obtained by Tao Brush than Pipelle (P < 0.001). Nulliparity was strongly associated with failed insertion for both devices (P < 0.001). Inadequate samples were strongly associated with postmenopausal status only for Pipelle (P < 0.001), and among premenopausal women, for both samplers, with nulliparity (P < 0.001). A significantly greater proportion of women preferred the Tao Brush to the Pipelle endometrial sampler (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In postmenopausal women, Tao Brush sampling offers advantages over use of Pipelle, and the former should be considered as an alternative or additional sampling device in this group of women.

Direct intrauterine sampling with Uterobrush: cell preparation by the "flicked" method

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endometrial cytology using the Uterobrush in the collection of samples for the diagnosis of endometrial lesions. The preparation technique for endometrial brushing specimens was also demonstrated. In their earlier study, the authors described the cyto-architectural criteria that appear to be more useful for the cytological assessment of endometrial lesions. Therefore, for the application of the diagnostic criteria, endometrial cytological sampling will become more important. With regard to the cell sample collection, the authors used the Uterobrush because the insertion into the uterine cavity is easy and painless. The authors compared the Uterobrush with the Endocyte, since they thought that cell clumps using the former device tended to be smaller. The purpose of the current study was to improve and evaluate cell preparation methods using the Uterobrush. The authors investigated three methods [i.e., conventional and improved techniques ("flicked" method) with the Uterobrush and the Endocyte] of endometrial cell collection and preparation. Using conventional methods, a brush was rolled along a glass slide and the collected material spread and smeared. However, using the "flicked" method, a brush is strongly flicked with forceps, so that the cells are transferred to the slide and its position is moved along the slide little by little and smeared. The frequency by size of cell clumps with tube or sheet-shaped pattern was examined in the preparations. Cell block specimens with the Uterobrush were also investigated. Endometrial cytology from a total of 90 women was evaluated. Most were outpatients and all were older than 20 yr (ranging from 20 to 54, average 42.7 yr). Of these, 30 cases from each group were examined by three methods. Uterobrush samples prepared by the "flicked" method have a greater quantity of cell clumps than those using the Endocyte sampler, while the frequency-by-size of cell clumps was by degree the same as the Endocyte. The cell clumps obtained in the Uterobrush "flicked" method preparation was considered equivalent or superior as an aid to making a diagnosis of endometrial lesions and it became obvious that the same criteria were applicable to both of instruments. Our cytological examination may be a potent aid to making a diagnosis of endometrial lesions and these findings will be helpful in the standardization of criteria in direct intrauterine cell samples.

Clinico-cytological study of uterine papillary serous carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine whether or not we could distinguish uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) from other types of endometrial cancer by cytology.

METHODS

We examined the cytological findings of the endometrium from five cases with UPSC and compared them with 10 cases with endometrioid adenocarcinoma, grade 1 (G1). A morphometric analysis was performed. Cytological samples from the cervix and ascites of the patients with UPSC were also reviewed.

RESULTS

All five patients had FIGO stage III and IV tumours. Three patients died of the disease and two are still alive with disease. The tumour cells of UPSC tended to be shed in papillary clusters with a tumour diathesis. Psammoma bodies were seen only in UPSC. The frequency of irregular-shaped nuclei, membrane thickness and eccentric nuclei in UPSC was higher than in G1. The chromatin pattern was coarsely granular, and both anisonucleosis and bare nuclei were prominent in UPSC. Cytomorphometrically, the maximum diameter of the nuclei in UPSC was significantly greater than that in G1. The nucleoli were also more often seen in UPSC than in G1. The findings of the nuclei and nucleoli in the cervical and peritoneal fluid cytology closely resembled those in endometrial smears. The features of the cervical smears and peritoneal fluid cytology were different from those of endometrial cytology regarding clear background and small clusters of cells.

CONCLUSION

As the endometrial cytology findings accurately suggested the histological diagnosis of UPSC, the diagnosis of UPSC was confirmed in this study by endometrial cytology. The cytological diagnosis of UPSC should be based on the findings of tumour diathesis, psammoma bodies and papillary clusters composed of tumour cells with enlarged nuclei and numerous nucleoli.

Study on the morphology and reproducibility of the diagnosis of endometrial lesions utilizing liquid-based cytology

BACKGROUND

The objective of the current study was to determine the diagnostic cytomorphologic criteria for liquid-based cytology and to evaluate the reproducibility and usefulness of the cytologic diagnosis in endometrial lesions.

METHODS

A total of 162 direct endometrial samplings taken from postmenopausal women were evaluated by 2 skilled cytopathologists in endometrial cytology. The cytologic diagnosis was made according to the 1994 classification scheme of the World Health Organization. After establishment of the criteria, three additional cytopathologists without any experience in liquid-based endometrial cytology examined the same cases to determine interobserver variability. The intraobserver variability also was evaluated by all the observers.

RESULTS

The cytomorphologic criteria were established in the following four diagnostic categories: atrophic endometrium, hyperplasia without atypia, hyperplasia with atypia, and adenocarcinoma. The overall interobserver agreement was nearly perfect with a kappa value of 0.89 during the checking round and ranged from moderate to substantial with kappa values of 0.48-0.80, respectively, in the other diagnostic rounds (P < 0.0001); hyperplasia with atypia was found to be the most difficult category to identify correctly. Furthermore, the intraobserver agreement ranged from substantial to perfect with kappa values of 0.61-1.00 in all diagnostic rounds (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Liquid-based cytology allows for standardized and reproducible endometrial preparations, which in turn allows the application of common diagnostic criteria among cytopathologists. Furthermore, liquid-based cytology in combination with endometrial sampling could be a useful tool for the outpatient diagnosis of endometrial lesions, which could reduce unnecessary curettage.

The role of liquid-based cytology associated with curettage in the investigation of endometrial lesions from postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the role of liquid-based cytology with ThinPrep technique, in the detection of endometrial lesions, using direct endometrial sampling from postmenopausal women with the Endogyn endometrial device.

METHODS

It was performed on 491 postmenopausal women referred to our clinic for abnormal bleeding or other symptoms and/or a thickness of endometrium >5 mm on ultrasound. Endometrial sampling, dilatation and curettage (D&C) and hysterectomy were performed on all patients. For the diagnosis, the WHO classification scheme was used.

RESULTS

According to our findings a sensitivity of 98.08%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value of 100% and overall accuracy of 98.98% were observed in both endometrial sampling and in D&C.

CONCLUSIONS

Endometrial sampling is complementary to D&C for the diagnosis of endometrial lesions and it is necessary for it to be performed before D&C and/or hysterectomy.

Performance characteristics of the Indiana University Medical Center endometrial sampler (Tao Brush) in an outpatient office setting, first year's outcomes: recognizing histological patterns in cytology preparations of endometrial brushings

Following successful hysterectomy-controlled trials, Tao brush endometrial cytology with liquid fixation was offered to clinicians for office use. This report recounts our first year's cytology and correlative histology outcomes. One hundred thirteen cases were accrued. Correlative tissue examinations comprising Pipelle (Prodimed, Neuilly-en-Thelle, France) biopsy, hysteroscopy and biopsy, dilatation and curettage, and hysterectomy were available at this institution for 59 cases. In 42 cases, cytology diagnoses could be compared to histology diagnoses. Twenty-five of 63 normal brushings were followed up. Fourteen were normal. Eleven Pipelle biopsies of cytologically atrophic endometrium were quantitatively limited and insufficient for diagnosis. Thirty-seven cases were abnormal, and 15 of these showed nuclear anaplasia. Twenty-eight of the abnormal cases were followed up. All correlative tissue examinations confirmed an abnormality. All 15 cases with nuclear anaplasia showed significant histopathology comprising atypical endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN), endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC), and invasive adenocarcinoma. There were 13 inadequate endometrial brushings. Three cases had insufficient cellular material. The remaining 10 cases were cellular but were chiefly cervical/endocervical samples. Two of the cellular cases resulted from clinicians failing to replace the protective sheath over the brush bristles before removing the Tao brush from the endometrial cavity. The remaining 11 cases resulted from inaccessibility of the uterine cavity due to a tight or stenotic cervix. The Tao brush is a reliable uterine sampling device that performs well as a diagnostic tool for outpatient assessment of the endometrium of women with patent cervices. An advantage of endometrial cytology is that it accurately represents atrophic endometrium, and it is an effective case-finding tool for EIN and EIC. Women with tight or stenotic cervices are poor candidates for endometrial brushing, and may experience pain if the procedure is attempted. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2000;22:186-195.

Rare epithelial sheets with "cancer-like" nuclei presenting against a background of cytologically normal-appearing endometrial epithelium in endometrial brush samplings: establishing a differential diagnosis

Liquid-fixed Tao brush samples showing small quantities (less than 10%) of endometrial epithelial sheets with cancer-like nuclei that are admixed with benign endometrium raise a concern about false-positive cytology interpretations. This paper details 7 cases along with the outcomes of three prior papers that touch on the differential diagnosis of "small amounts of atypical epithelium with cancer-like nuclei." Liquid-fixed, cytocentrifuge-processed Tao brush endometrial samples from 7 women showing "small amounts of atypical epithelium with cancer-like nuclei" were followed up by hysterectomy. Clinical presentations, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, and tissue outcomes are detailed. Four women had hyperplastic polyps (three with focal atypical complex hyperplasia, and one with focal atypical simple hyperplasia). One had endometrial microcarcinoma. One had p53-positive endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC). One had endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN). The differential diagnosis of the index cytological finding, "small quantities of endometrial epithelial sheets with cancer-like nuclei admixed with benign endometrium," includes hyperplastic polyp, EIC, microcarcinoma/EIN, and carcinoma metastatic to the endometrium. Combining endometrial brushing, endovaginal sonography/sonohysterography, and selective immunostaining may be useful for both detecting and sorting out these lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:378-386.

Endocervical cell collection using cytobrush, liquid-fixation, and cytocentrifugation: A feasibility study using 455 hysterectomy specimens

Differential uterine curettage may be performed for the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of substituting cytological methods for differential uterine curettage to evaluate the entire glandular axis of the uterus and the transformation zone. In order to simulate differential uterine sampling, the endocervix was brushed in 455 uteri from which an endometrial cytology sample had been previously collected. Twenty-five percent of the brushes' cell-sample was examined using two 17.5 mm circle-slides prepared with a Hettich cytocentrifuge. The resulting slides were homogeneous and cellular. They were compared to tissue sections of matched hysterectomy specimens. Endometrial adenocarcinoma was overrepresented in the endocervical cytology preparations. This was ascribed either to prior endometrial collection with "drop-down contamination" of the endocervix and/or to entry of the cytobrush into the endometrial cavity. Otherwise, cytological and histological diagnoses were comparable for squamous and endocervical-adenomatous lesions. Under the conditions of this simulation, endometrial and endocervical brushings appeared to complement each other as case-finding techniques for evaluating abnormal uterine bleeding. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:419-426.

Modification of CytoRich Red fixative system for use on bloody Pap and fine-needle aspiration smears

Recent work has shown CytoRich Red fixative system is effective in lysing red blood cells and reducing background in bloody fluid specimens. The scope of this study was to see whether CytoRich Red can lyse red blood cells in freshly prepared Pap and fine-needle aspiration smears. Paired smears from 20 bloody fine-needle aspirations were prepared. One slide was initially placed in CytoRich Red for up to 30 sec, removed, and then fixed in 95% alcohol. The other slide was placed directly into 95% alcohol. Ten paired Pap smears, one fixed with a commercial fixative and another immersed in a solution of CytoRich Red, were evaluated. All slides were stained with the Papanicolaou stain and analyzed for the amount of red blood cells, background material, and nuclear and cytoplasmic staining. In 100% of all smears utilizing CytoRich Red, red blood cells were significantly reduced without hindering staining. Significant loss of cells from the slides sent in CytoRich Red solution was not observed. CytoRich Red fixative can be effective in reducing red blood cells and background on freshly made smears. In both gynecological and nongynecological cases, diagnostic cells were well preserved and not compromised by blood.

Endometrial brush cytology of advanced postmenopausal endometrium: does endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia exist in the absence of hyperplasia?

Postmenopausal uterine bleeding is an indication to sample the endometrium for diagnostic purposes. The endometrial brush cytologies of 20 advanced postmenopausal women collected at the time of hysterectomy in order to benchmark the expected morphology of postmenopausal endometrial brushings were reviewed. No women had symptoms or gross findings of primary endomyometrial disease. Endometrium was collected at the surgical pathology laboratory using the Tao Brush and CytoRich Fixative System. After formalin fixation of the uterus, the entire endometrium was embedded for routine histology. Sixteen endometrial brushings and matched endometrial sections showed endometrial atrophy, one brushing showed many ciliated epithelial cells, and three brushings showed focal (less than 10%) epithelial-cell atypia. In two atypias, abnormal endometrial epithelial-cell sheets contained enlarged, clear nuclei with nuclear notches and grooves resembling papillary thyroid cancer. One case showed no histological counterpart to this finding. The other case showed thickening of the pericornual fundic endometrium with cystic glands. The third case with epithelial atypia showed abnormal endometrial-cell sheets with nuclei resembling atypical hyperplasia or type I endometrial adenocarcinoma; corresponding endometrial tissue sections showed rare, irregular glands and back-to-back gland clusters with equivalent nuclear features. Atypical epithelium may be found in atrophic uteri in the absence of gross endometrial thickening. This may be a common event related either to de novo intraepithelial dysplasia in a noncycling endometrium or to hyperplasia that has partly regressed with estradiol withdrawal. This study shows that, in addition to endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC), isolated atypical glands with morphological and immunohistochemical features of atypical hyperplasia or type I endometrial adenocarcinoma may be found in grossly normal advanced postmenopausal endometrium of asymptomatic patients. This atypical epithelium is readily apparent in endometrial brush preparations, but requires serial sectioning of the endometrium to be demonstrated histologically. We have not established the natural history of this lesion, and in the absence of EIC or gross endometrial thickening indicative of atypical hyperplasia, we do not know whether this degree of epithelial atypia should be an indication for hysterectomy.

Endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma diagnosed by brush cytology and p53 immunostaining, and confirmed by hysterectomy

Endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC) is associated with tumors of high nuclear grade and usually is seen in endometria without complex atypical hyperplasia. Tumor cells oftentimes show an accumulation of mutant p53 protein. This report describes a case of EIC detected by endometrial brush cytology and p53 immunostaining, and confirmed by hysterectomy.