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Contribution of immunocytochemistry in routine diagnostic cytology

C R Lai1, C C Pan, S H Tsay

  • 1Department of Pathology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

Diagnostic Cytopathology
|May 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Immunocytochemistry aids daily cytologic diagnoses, proving essential or confirmatory in nearly half of cases. Fine-needle aspiration specimens particularly benefit from this diagnostic tool.

Area of Science:

  • Anatomic Pathology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Cytopathology

Background:

  • Routine cytological examination plays a crucial role in diagnosing various conditions.
  • Immunocytochemistry (ICC) offers enhanced specificity and sensitivity in diagnostic pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the utility and impact of immunocytochemistry in routine non-gynecologic cytological diagnoses.
  • To assess the contribution of ICC to final diagnoses in different specimen types.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of 145 non-gynecologic specimens (excluding urine) examined between August 1991 and July 1994.
  • Selective application of 215 ICC stainings using various markers (epithelial, lymphoma/leukemia, neuroglial, etc.) on problematic cases.
  • Categorization of ICC results as essential, confirmatory, or non-contributory to the final diagnosis.

Main Results:

  • ICC was performed on 145 specimens, with effusions (89) and fine-needle aspirations (28) being the most common.
  • Epithelial markers were the most frequently utilized antibodies.
  • ICC results were essential in 28% and confirmatory in 26% of cases, totaling 54% impact.
  • Higher diagnostic contribution was observed in fine-needle aspirations (71%) and cerebrospinal fluids (55%) compared to effusions (49%).

Conclusions:

  • Immunocytochemistry is a valuable adjunct to routine cytologic practice, significantly aiding in definitive diagnoses.
  • The application of ICC is particularly beneficial for the diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration specimens.
  • ICC enhances diagnostic confidence and provides critical information in challenging cytopathological cases.

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