Value of centrifugated liquid-based cytology by Papanicolaou and May-Grünwald in oral epithelial cells

Comparative study of conventional exfoliative cytology and centrifuged liquid-based cytology in oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

Background

This study aims to compare the efficacy between conventional exfoliative cytology (EC) and centrifuged liquid-based cytology (CLBC) in control, leukoplakia, and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Oral leukoplakia and oral cancer require an early definitive diagnosis for better prognostic outcome. Oral EC, a minimally invasive technique that involves the examination of desquamated cells from the tissue surfaces used as a method of early diagnosis. CLBC is a modified technique that is used to achieve improved quality of the cytology findings.

Materials and Methods

A comparative study was done in 30 subjects, of which, 10 cases from control group, 10 oral leukoplakia, and 10 OSCC cases. These subjects were selected according to the appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria. The cases in each group underwent conventional as well as CLBC. The comparison was carried out between these groups with respect to the cellular and background stromal factors. Appropriate qualitative evaluation of the samples was collected and statistical analysis was done using the Chi-squared test. The significance level of value was P < 0.05.

Results

Significant results were obtained for certain parameters such as cellular overlap clear background, uniform distribution in control, leukoplakia, and OSCC with a P = 0.004**, P = 0.001**, P = 0.006** using CLBC.

Conclusion

CLBC is better and give clearer vision as compared to conventional cytology and can be used in the early diagnosis.

A Cytological Study of Oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection Among Electronic Cigarette Smokers in Al-Madinah Al-Munawara

Objective This study aims to determine how electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use contributes to the spread of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and to assess the potential cellular proliferative activity it may produce. Methodology In Madinah, a case-control study was conducted between October 2022 and March 2023. Two oral cytologic smear samples were collected from each of the 500 volunteers; 250 consumers of electronic cigarettes and 250 non-smokers each provided two samples. To detect cytological changes and HPV infection, these samples were stained using Papanicolaou and immunocytochemical techniques. Results Twelve (4.8%) of the electronic cigarettes exhibited cytological atypia, while only one (0.4%) of the nonsmokers' group did. Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) was detected in eight (3.2%) of the e-cigarette users, but it was only found in two (0.8%) of the nonsmokers (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion Electronic cigarette smoking increases the likelihood of contracting HPV and developing cytological atypia, both of which, if left untreated, can contribute to the development of precancerous and cancerous lesions in the mouth.

Micronucleus Assay in Exfoliated Buccal Epithelial Cells Using Liquid Based Cytology Preparations in Building Construction Workers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cytogenetic damage in exfoliated buccal epithelial cells due to environmental and occupational exposure is often monitored by micronucleus (MN) assay using liquid based cytology (LBC) preparations. This study was performed to evaluate MN in exfoliated buccal epithelial cells of building construction workers using LBC preparations.

METHODS

LBC preparations of exfoliated buccal epithelial cells from 100 subjects [50 building construction workers (cases) and 50 administrative staffs (controls)] was evaluated by May-Grunwald Giemsa, Hematoxylin and Eosin and Papanicolaou stains. Student's t test was used for statistical analysis and a P value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

The mean frequencies of MN for cases were significantly higher than controls regardless of staining methods used. There were statistically significant differences between smokers and non-smokers of the controls as well as duration of working exposure (<5 and >5 years) and smokers and non-smokers of cases (P=0.001). However, there were meaningful differences regarding mean frequencies of MN between smokers, non-smokers, those with alcohol consumption or not in cases and controls using various stains (P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

There was an increased risk of cytogenetic damage in building construction workers. However, evaluation of MN of exfoliated buccal epithelial cells in building construction workers serve as a minimally invasive biomarker for cytogenetic damage. LBC preparations can be applied for MN assay as it improves the quality of smears and cell morphology, decreases the confounding factors and reduces false positive results.

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.

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.