Table 5.

Problems with studies of toluidine blue

No studies carried out in a primary care environment Data from studies in secondary care are not necessarily applicable to general population No randomized controlled trials Some studies only include carcinomas or dysplasia and some include both Histological diagnosis is rarely used as a gold standard Methods vary – single rinse, double rinse, ‘painting’ Confusion over inclusion of equivocal (pale) staining as positive or negative.