Evaluation of Diagnostic Accuracy of Directly Sampled Endometrial Cytology Using ThinPrep for Endometrial Malignancies: Comparison With Existing Endometrial Liquid-Based Cytology

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of detecting malignancies by directly sampled endometrial cytology using globally adopted ThinPrep with a novel preparation technique.

Methods

Medical records and reports of pathology and cytology from June 2019 to March 2022 were reviewed. We selected 112 endometrial cytology specimens using ThinPrep with the novel preparation technique, where the clinical course or pathological samples confirmed negative or positive results. Eight cytotechnologists or cytopathologists examined the cytology specimens and provided reports based on standardised criteria from the descriptive reporting system for endometrial cytology (the Yokohama System).

Results

The 112 specimens were evenly smeared and well prepared, featuring high quality, with no issues hindering microscopic examination. Examiners unfamiliar with endometrial cytology using ThinPrep showed high diagnostic accuracy, demonstrating that this modality of preparation for endometrial cytology is feasible for clinical use.

Conclusions

The novel preparation method using ThinPrep successfully provided high-quality, standardised specimens. Furthermore, employing the Yokohama System enabled high accuracy in detecting endometrial malignancies, even for examiners with minimal experience with this cytological technique. This suggests that ThinPrep-based endometrial cytology can be globally adopted with ease, potentially contributing significantly to the early detection of endometrial cancer.