Ph.D. M.D. Gruzdeva A. A.*, Ph.D. M.D. Kolesnik V. M.**

*DNEPROPETROVSK STATE MEDICAL ACADEMY

**CRIMEAN STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY NAMED AFTER S.I. GEORGIEVSKY

THE USE OF EXFOLIATIVE CYTOLOGY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE LEUKOPLAKIA OF THE ORAL MUCOSA

Leading element of the pathogenesis of leukoplakia is a violation of maturation of the epithelium of the oral mucosa. The degree of differentiation and maturation of epithelial completeness of the oral mucosa can be measured by maturation index – the relation parabasal / intermediate / surface cells / horny scales. For squamous epithelium is considered to be normal the relation 0/60/8/32, for not squamous – 0/96/2.5/1.5. Our observations of 58 patients with leukoplakia of the oral mucosa had made possible to diagnose a flat form in 34 of them (58.62%), rising – in 16 (27.58%), blisters – in 5 (8.62%) and erosive – in 3 patients (5.17%). The degree of maturation of the epithelium of the oral mucosa in the observed patients was determined by the method of exfoliative cytology (fixation in a mixture of Nikiforov, painting - Papanikolau).

Results had shown a decrease in the degree of maturity of the epithelium to the extent worsening form of leukoplakia. Epithelial maturation index was in the flat form of leukoplakia 0/17.5/31 / 51.5, in the rising – 0/25/29/46. Warty form had showed the ratio 10.5 / 31/27/28.5. At the same time in the smear were found 3% of basal cells. With erosive form there was an increase of basal and parabasal cells to 4% and 15.5% accordingly.

Thus, the method of exfoliative cytology can be recommended as a comprehensive research for the diagnosis of "leukoplakia".