EVALUATION OF LOCALLY PREPARED LIQUID BASED CYTOLOGY (LBC) TRANSPORT MEDIUM: A COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH CONVENTIONAL CYTOLOGY

This study assesses a locally formulated Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) transport medium in comparison to conventional cytology, aiming to enhance cellular preservation and cytological accuracy. The formulation process involved careful selection of reagents based on their compatibility with cytological applications, yielding a unique medium tailored to meet specific cytological study requirements. Buccal smears from six apparently healthy adults were processed using both the locally prepared LBC transport medium and conventional cytology methods. Results revealed notable differences, including increased cellular yield and more uniform dispersion with the locally prepared LBC medium. However, challenges such as cellular dehydration and staining inconsistencies underscore the need for further optimization and validation. The locally prepared LBC medium has the potential to enhance the precision and reliability of cytological studies as well as allowing cytological samples to be revisited, as the remaining sample suspended in the LBC fluid can be stored for future use, ultimately improving diagnostic accuracy, reliability and patient care outcomes.