Evaluation of touch preparation cytology during frozen-section diagnoses of pulmonary lesions

Abstract

A total of 155 consecutive patients underwent intraoperative FS procedure, and 110 of those cases had TPC available for review. TPC was diagnostic or contributory to FS diagnosis in 97 (88%) cases, and non-contributory in 13 cases, mainly due to low or inadequate cellularity. TPC provided useful information regarding tumour subtyping, but it was less sensitive in the diagnosis of mucinous neoplasms and was less specific in the assessment of bronchial resection margins. In granulomatous lesions with or without necrosis, TPC was diagnostic in 10 (91%) cases. In five cases (including four cases of tuberculosis), TPC was the only diagnostic tool since FS was not completed. In conclusion, TPC showed high sensitivity and specificity rates and was contributory to FS diagnosis of pulmonary lesions. TPC provides a fast, less-expensive method of diagnosis, utilises a minimal amount of tissue, and can save processing of fresh frozen tissues in certain situations such as tuberculous lesions.

Diagnostic utility and pitfalls of intraoperative pulmonary imprint cytology based on final pathological diagnoses

“…We propose therefore that accurate diagnosis by IC also depends on whether the tissue itself has been left wet or dry by the infection. Rakha et al reported suspected tuberculous infection on the basis of IC in only four (22.2%) of 18 cases of a granulomatous lesion, with macroscopic evidence of abscess. In our cohort, tuberculous infection was suspected in only one (16.6%) of six cases histopathologically confirmed as caseating granuloma.…”

Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma remains a diagnostic challenge using frozen sections: a clinicopathological analysis of 59 cases

“…In a study by Chan et al ., it was suggested that a diagnosis using FSs could be made in most cases based on the tumour circumscription and variegated histological patterns. Several studies have also suggested that an accurate diagnosis could be made in conjunction with intraoperative cytology . At our institute, intraoperative cytology is not performed routinely in lung biopsy specimens.…”

“…Several studies have also suggested that an accurate diagnosis could be made in conjunction with intraoperative cytology. [16][17][18] At our institute, intraoperative cytology is not performed routinely in lung biopsy specimens. Additionally, all cases in our current study showed the presence of at least two histological patterns, and the tumour circumscription could often not assessable due to sampling.…”

Cell blocks are not a substitute for cytology: why pathologists should understand cytopathology particularly in their chosen speciality

“…Nevertheless, pathologists should be able to prepare their own cytological preparations and those that do know how useful imprint cytology can be while waiting for a frozen section. 11 Neuropathologists for many years have favoured imprint cytology over frozen sections of friable brain material; 12 and autopsy diagnosis can be augmented by imprint cytology, which may avoid the need to save tissue samples. 13 Imprint cytology preceded histology historically, 14 and may precede histology in practice sometimes making biopsy or resection unnecessary.…”