Role of Intraoperative Cytology in Head and Neck Lesions: A Prospective Study

To study the technique of intra-operative imprint cytology for intraoprative diagnosis and management in cases of Head and Neck malignant lesions and to compare its result with postoperative histopathology. Prospective study conducted over 2 yrs period at the Department of ENT of a tertiary care centre in central India. A total of 60 patients who were operated for Head and Neck malignant lesions were studies with regards to intraoperative diagnosis, marginal status and lymphnodal status and compared with postoperative histopathology. Mean age-group was 47.70 (± 13.7) years. There was male preponderance. Bucco-aveolar complex lesions constituted the majority followed by Tongue and thyroid lesions. Intraoperative cytology technique showed a sensitivity of 92.98%, 80.60% and 92.30% as regards the intraoperative diagnosis, marginal clearance and nodal metastases respectively; while the specificity was 100%, 90.09% and 83.33% respectively. At the end of the study we conclude that intra-operative cytology is a good technique for intra-operative evaluation in Head and Neck lesions, where facilities for frozen section are not available. It can be used as a simple, non-expensive and rapid alternative to frozen section. A larger and longer study can validate its routine use in surgical setups where high-end pathology setup is not available.