Diagnostic utility of squash (smear) technique in the inflammatory lesions of central nervous system

Smears of histologically verified inflammatory lesions of central nervous system (CNS) during 12 years were analysed to determine the diagnostic utility and accuracy of squash (smear) technique. Two hundred and sixteen (216) lesions were analysed. Smears could not be interpreted in 72 lesions (33.33%) as the tissue could not be spread or not representative. Tuberculosis was the commonest etiology (70.83%) followed by bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections. To conclude, smear technique is a useful modality in establishing diagnosis in inflammatory lesions of CNS, but its usefulness is limited by difficulties in spreading tissue.