Cytodiagnosis of breast disease using a liquid suspension medium

Abstract

Fine-needle aspiration cytology specimens from 187 breast lesions were processed using conventional slide cytology. Results were compared with those from 201 lesions prepared using a liquid suspension medium (Cytospin) for specimen collection, to assess the clinical utility of each technique. The frequency of diagnostic groups was similar for each method. No significant difference was found in sensitivity (conventional slide cytology 86 per cent versus Cytospin 82 per cent), specificity (72 versus 82 per cent) or diagnostic accuracy (88 versus 91 per cent). The Cytospin technique compares favourably with conventional slide cytology and can be recommended for ease of use in breast cytodiagnosis.

Technical method. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast using the Cytospin method

“…The inadequate rate was 5–15%, again comparing well with most direct smear reports 14 ; in general a lower inadequate rate is achievable when one aspirator, often a cytopathologist, takes all the aspirates 16 . As with all FNAs, by whatever method, the positive predictive value for malignancy (the fraction of malignant FNAs that was confirmed malignant on histology or was clinically an advanced fungating tumour) is almost 100% 9–16 .…”

“…A number of recent studies have shown that the Cytospin method is an acceptable alternative to direct smears for FNA of breast 9–12 ; complete sensitivity (the proportion of malignant lesions correctly diagnosed or diagnosed as suspicious FNA) in two studies 9 , 10 was approximately 96%, excluding inadequates, comparing favourably with figures from studies using direct smears 13–15 . The inadequate rate was 5–15%, again comparing well with most direct smear reports 14 ; in general a lower inadequate rate is achievable when one aspirator, often a cytopathologist, takes all the aspirates 16 .…”