THIN PREP

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-Sample collected by the cervix the same way as with Pap test but with a brush

-The sample is placed in a collection tube with fixative fluid

-The cells are dispersed in the liquid

-A small portion of the sample is centrifuged and the pellet is smeared on a slide, as a thin coat of one cell layer.

– Finally the smears are stained and examined under the microscope by the cytologist.

Differences between thin-prep and Pap test:

Because the cells of Thin-prep are smears as a monolayer it is easier for the cytologist to diagnose any causative that might exist, while at the Pap test the specimen smeared is thicker, resulting in cells covering each other and sometimes the smear does not present a clear image. Το Thin-prep έχει μεγαλύτερο κόστος από το Test Pap
Thin-prep costs more than Pap test
Thin-prep can be repeated without submitting the patient to re-examination (usually each collection tube can be tested 6-8 times)
When using Thin-prep, if a lesion or suspicion of HPV is detected, it is possible to send the sample to the lab for PCR identification of the virus DNA.