Comparison of Efficacy of Staining by Papinicalaou, Hematoxylin and Eosin and Giemsa Staining in Exfoliative Cytological Smears from Oral Lichen Planus Patients-A Case Control Study

Background Oral lichen planus is a T cell mediated chronic inflammatory oral mucosal disease of unknown origin. Oral cytology should be a part of every oral examination in which the dentists detects even the least suspicious disease. [1, 2,] The aim of this study was to Compare the efficacy of staining by Hematoxillin and eosin, Papinicalaou (PAP), and Giemsa in exfoliative cytological smears from oral Lichen Planus patients. Materials and method The study consists of twenty lichen planus patients n=20 (study) and twenty normal patients (control). Smears were collected and stained by using three different staining methods, papanicalaou stain, H and E stain and Giemsa stain. The subjects were microscopically analysed and scored based on following Batch characteristics like Cytoplasmic stain, Nuclear stain, appreciation of nuclear characteristics, Degree of differentiation and Amount of debris present. Data collected were tabulated and statistically analysed. Results Comparing the characteristics of staining, PAP staining (mean =6.50) was proved to be more efficient staining method for diagnosis of Lichen Planus patients than H and E (5.15) and Giemsa staining (4.50). Statistical analysis also showed significant results (pless than0.005). Conclusion The study showed that PAP smear staining is the most appropriate staining for Lichen Planus and demonstrate cellular features in much detail when compared to the H and E and Giemsa stain. Hence Papanicalaou staining which is a cost effective and relatively simple method can be used effectively as a preliminary adjunct in diagnose the lichen planus patients in a given population.