Inclusion-cytology versus smear-cytology in fine needle abdominal biopsy

1568 patients underwent percutaneous fine needle biopsy (22-23 g. Chiba). 761 of these had histologic type confirmation of malignant disease. Among the latter, 313 cases had adequate samples retrieved from the same lesion for smear cytology (SC) and inclusion cytology (IC), 400 for SC alone (378 performed before the use of IC) and 48 for IC alone. SC was stained by Papanicolaou and MGG, IC by haematoxylin-eosin technique. In SC + IC group typing accuracy was 0.64 for SC and 0.86 for IC, in SC group was 0.66, in IC group was 0.87. IC permitted an easier preparation and interpretation of special stains. In conclusion, IC routine is recommended. Some interesting observations were possible because material was collected from three hospitals.