Pap Test: Collecting Cells in Liquid
Topic Overview
Liquid-based methods for collecting cervical cells and preparing them for laboratory evaluation are now available.
A sample of cervical cells is collected during a Reference Pap test Opens New Window, and the cells are then rinsed in a liquid vial instead of being smeared on slides. The vials are taken to the laboratory, and a thin layer of the specimen is put on slides for microscopic examination. Only a small portion of the sample is used for the slide, so the remainder of the cell sample can be used for any further testing, such as a Reference human papillomavirus (HPV) test.
These methods can produce false-positive results just like standard Pap tests. Not all laboratories provide this testing, but liquid-based methods are becoming more widely used. These methods cost more than standard Pap testing.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference December 28, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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