Role of Field Staining in the Cytological Assessment of Intraoperative Surgical Specimens

To study the role of Field staining in scrape smears for intraoperative cytological (IOC) diagnosis. Specimens were assessed for categorizing among benign and malignant lesions, lymph node status, and adequacy of surgical cut margins as per specimen. Technique, adequacy, and quality were assessed along with comparison of cytological diagnosis with final histopathological diagnosis obtained on routine hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides.

A prospective observational study was conducted over a period of 1 year from November 2016 to October 2017 in the Department of Pathology of our Institute.

50 cases were studied, and scrape smears were stained with Field stain. Results were satisfactory in terms of adequacy and attaining the objectives of the study. A diagnostic accuracy of 98% was observed with an average turnaround time of 5 min. A single case of low-grade glioma was found to be discordant.

Use of Field staining for intraoper-ative cytological assessment of surgical specimens has 98% concordance with the final histopathological diagnosis and achieved the aim of the study. With its low costs, easy availability, short turnaround time, and simple technique, it will be helpful in IOC as an alternative to present techniques especially in financially constrained settings.