Thames Valley Cytology Society

  Volume 8 Issue 1
April 2006

'Current use of LBC in Non-Gynae Cytology'
- Christine Payne,Consultant Clinical Cytologist, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport

Report by Jyotika Varsani - Northwick Park Hospital

At the TVCS meeting in Royal Berkshire Hospital on the 11th March 2005, Christine Payne stated that at present there are two major companies, (Surepath / Cytyc) offering LBC for use in the NHSCSP. Both procedures can also be used for the preparation of non-gynae.

The main advantages of LBC are:
" Maximising the cellularity of the sample
" Removal of excess blood/ mucus
" Excellent fixation
" One representative slide
" Extra material available for further tests, immunocytochemistry and teaching

The disadvantage of LBC is the cost, but the cost must be weighed against the benefits for medical and BMS time.
Samples that could be processed are:
" Exfoliative/Aspiration samples
" Urines
" Sputa,Bronchial washings/brushings
" Body Fluids
" FNA - Head and Neck, Lymph Nodes, Lung, Liver, Breast

At this hospital laboratory most samples can be diagnosed purely on the ThinPrep sample. ENT routinely
use LBC only with the exception of
Thyroid Aspirates, as colloid is difficult to evaluate, and LBC only is not recommended.
On other FNA sites usually both air-dried slides and LBC are taken.