Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the ThinPrep® 2000 System (Cytyc Corporation) in the analysis of 496 vitreous fluid samples over the course of thirteen months. To our knowledge, this cytopathological method has not been previously described for the analysis of vitreous fluid samples. Methods: Vitreous samples were processed utilizing the ThinPrep® 2000 method of sample preparation currently utilized for cervical cytology. Materials contained within the ThinPrep® 2000 System were used. Namely the ThinPrep Processor Instrument, PreservCyt Solution, TransCyt Filter, and ThinPrep Microscope slides. Vitreous samples were first centrifuged and supernatant discarded. The resultant pellet was resuspended in PreservCyt Solution and placed into the ThinPrep® 2000 processor for dispersion. The rate of flow was regulated by the processor, providing an even distribution and representation of sample cells onto the TransCyt Filter. The filter was then pressed against the ThinPrep Microscope slide and deposited into a fixative solution. Results: A total of 496 vitreous samples over the course of thirteen months were analyzed. Included in these 496 samples, 151 (30.4%) showed normal vitreous fluid with low cellular content, 184 (37.1%) showed vitreous hemorrhage, 70 (14.1%) had fibrovascular membranes, 67 (13.5%) had lenticular fragments, 5 (1%) showed subretinal neovascular membranes, 2 (0.4%) revealed foreign bodies, 14 (2.8%) had inflammatory cells, 1 (0.2%) showed immature round blue cells, 1 (0.2%) had monotonous lymphocytes & histiocytes, and 1 (0.2%) was consistent with a B-cell lymphoma. These final 2 cases represented clinically significant incidental findings unknown to be present at the time of vitrectomy. Conclusion: The fluid based, ThinPrep® 2000 method of preparation and cytopathologic analysis of vitreous samples detected clinically significant pathology which may have otherwise not been detected. This method may provide a more homogenous representation of vitreous samples and may be more sensitive than prior methods in detection of vitreous pathology. Based on our findings further comparison trials are warranted.
Keywords: 629 vitreous • 381 cytology • 508 pathology techniques