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Intraoperative cytology in otorhinolaryngologic and cervical pathology
1Dept. of Pathology, Genoa-Sestri Hospital.
Insights
Intraoperative Cytology (I.C.) offers a reliable alternative to frozen sections (F.S.) in surgical pathology. This rapid, cost-effective method achieved high diagnostic accuracy in head and neck cases, often substituting for traditional frozen sections.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Pathology
- Cytopathology
- Head and Neck Oncology
Background:
- Frozen sections (F.S.) are standard for intraoperative diagnosis.
- Intraoperative Cytology (I.C.) is a potential adjunct or alternative.
- Accurate intraoperative assessment is critical for surgical decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and utility of Intraoperative Cytology (I.C.) compared to Frozen Sections (F.S.).
- To determine if I.C. can effectively substitute F.S. in specific surgical contexts.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 211 otorhinolaryngologic and cervical cases.
- Comparison of I.C. diagnoses with definitive histopathological diagnoses.
- Assessment of diagnostic concordance rates and deferred diagnoses for both I.C. and F.S.
Main Results:
- I.C. demonstrated a high correspondence rate of 96.20% with definitive diagnoses.
- F.S. achieved a concordance rate of 95.26%.
- I.C. had a low deferral rate (3.31%) and only one false negative, highlighting its reliability.
Conclusions:
- Intraoperative Cytology (I.C.) is a valuable and reliable technique in surgical pathology.
- I.C. can serve as a cost-effective and rapid substitute for frozen sections in many head and neck cases.
- The high accuracy of I.C. supports its integration into intraoperative diagnostic workflows.
Abstract:
Intraoperative Cytology (I.C.) is widely acknowledged to be not only a valuable adjunct to frozen sections (F.S.) but also, in a high percentage of cases, a valid technique in itself when it is in agreement with macroscopic evaluation. In a study of 211 otorhinolaryngologic and cervical cases, we registered a 96.20% correspondence between I.C. diagnosis and definitive diagnosis, as against a 95.26% correspondence for F.S. diagnosis was deferred in 3.31% of cases examined by I.C. and only one false negative occurred. I.C. is simple, rapid, reliable and inexpensive. On the basis of our experience, we maintain that this technique is not only of great value as a supplement to F.S. but that in a high percentage of cases it can actually substitute frozen sections.
