Transepithelial sampling of the uterine ectocervix with a stiff-bristled, spiral-shaped brush.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the depth of sampling of the uterine ectocervix with the use of a stiff-bristled, spiral-shaped brush (SpiraBrush Cx; Trylon Corporation, Torrance, CA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible hysterectomy specimens were identified. The ectocervix was brushed with an inked SpiraBrush Cx in four quadrants with either light (gentle) or heavy (forceful) pressure. The depth of sampling was determined histologically. RESULTS: Four normal uteri were sampled a total of 15 times. The entire epithelium was removed to the epithelial-stromal junction in three specimens and in one sample only a few basal cells remained with light pressure. The depth of sampling ranged from 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm. Heavy pressure resulted in the entire removal of epithelium in six samples, with the depth of sampling ranging from 0.2 mm to 0.7 mm. The stroma was disrupted in one sample. Results were uninformative in five samples. CONCLUSIONS: Sampling of the uterine ectocervix with the SpiraBrush Cx seems to be transepithelial in most cases.