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Abstract:The concept of trans-epithelial cellular sampling was boosted by the use of cytobrush, which claimed superiority in harvesting epithelial cells over that of the conventionally used wooden and metal spatulae.
Aim: To compare the efficacy of oral epithelial cell harvesting using perio-interdental brush and the conventional wooden spatula.
Objective:To assess the quantity of cells (in area percent), distribution of cells, and proportion of oral epithelial cells exhibiting cytotoxicity in sampling techniques using the Perio-interdental brush and wooden spatula.
Methodology:The study group comprised twelve informed, consenting patients exhibiting clinical white lesions. Two smears were collected from each patient from closely adjacent lesional sites using Perio-interdental brush followed by wooden spatula. One hundred cells were counted in each Papanicolaou-stained smear under ×400 magnification and categorized as basal, intermediate and superficial cells. The number of cells exhibiting evidence of genotoxicity (as evidenced by cytoplasmic granules, micronuclei, binucleation) and atypia were tabulated. Distribution of cells was analyzed by Image J. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software. Student T test was used to assess the efficacy of sampling between the two techniques.
Results and discussion:Yield of cells (in area percentage) and proportion of identification of cytotoxicity (p value= 0.340 and p < 0.6 respectively) was greater with Perio-interdental brush compared to wooden spatula. No significant difference was noted in dispersion of cells between the two techniques (p value = 0.751). The high yield of cells per sample and superiority in identifying cellular cytotoxic changes using the Perio-interdental brush as seen in this study may potentially make it a cost-effective tool in screening programmes for oral cancer, and the findings may be validated using a larger sample.