Table 1.

Comparison of different methods of transcervical cell sample collection

Method	Description	% of TCC sample with fetal cells	References
Antenatal cell extractor	Flushing of endocervical canal with saline to recover fetal cells	50%	18, 19 17
Transcervical smears with cytobrush	Application of the cytobrush 2–3 cm into the endocervix and 360° rotation while the brush is being withdrawn to get cervical mucus.	96.7% 23.9%* 95%	15 14 16
Aspiration with Pipelle De Cornier and Aspiracath	Introduction of the Pipelle or Aspiracath into the cervix to aspirate cervical canal mucus before elective termination of pregnancy	50% of the aspirates	20
Endocervical Canal lavage	Application of a flexible plastic catheter connected to a 10 cc syringe into the endocervix which is flushed and immediately aspirated back to obtain cellular content.	83.3% 50% 59.2%	22 21 23 24
Intrauterine lavage with or without ultrasound guidance	Utilization of a thin flexible plastic catheter connected to a 10 cc syringe, this is introduced passed the internal cervical os with or without transabdominal ultrasound guidance before 5 cc of saline is instilled and aspirated back under gentle suction.	84.8% 82% 92.3% with ultrasound guidance	25 14 22

TCC: Transcervical cells

^*Correct male sex prediction.