irtosolunäyte

An irtosolunäyte, also known as a liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample, is a modern method for preparing cytological specimens for microscopic examination. Unlike conventional smears where cells are directly transferred from a collection device to a slide, in an irtosolunäyte, the collected material is rinsed into a preservative liquid. This liquid suspension then undergoes a process to remove debris and blood, and to create a thin, uniform layer of cells on a glass slide.

The primary advantage of the irtosolunäyte technique is improved sample quality. The removal of interfering substances like mucus and blood enhances the visibility of the cells, potentially leading to more accurate diagnoses. The automated or semi-automated preparation methods ensure a more consistent distribution of cells compared to manual smearing, reducing the chance of areas being too thick or too sparse for proper evaluation.

This method is widely used for screening purposes, most notably in cervical cancer screening (Pap test). However, it can also be applied to other sample types, such as urine cytology for bladder cancer detection or fine-needle aspiration samples from various organs. The standardized preparation of irtosolunäyte samples allows for easier interpretation by cytopathologists and can also facilitate ancillary testing, such as molecular diagnostics, directly from the preserved liquid.