Frozen section analysis in community settings: Diagnostic challenges and key considerations

The frozen section is a useful tool for pathologists and surgeons as it provides rapid microscopic evaluation of tissue in the intraoperative setting. The diagnosis rendered on the frozen section assists the surgeon in making intraoperative decisions. In community hospitals, which usually have a general surgical pathology coverage model, frozen section requests occur in various clinical settings. This review covers the everyday situations that require frozen section analysis in a community-based hospital setting. It outlines the frozen section procedure, discusses histologic evaluation, and highlights the diagnostic challenges that may arise during this process.