A review of the accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy by comparing frozen section with final paraffin block H&E staining, and correlation with the final axillary lymph node dissection results

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine the accuracy rate of sentinel lymph node? biopsy? (SLNB)? by? comparing? frozen? section? (FS)? with permanent formalin processed specimen by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining; 2) To correlate with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) histopathology results for those with positive SLNB.METHODS: This? was? a? retrospective? study? on? all? breast? cancer patients? who? underwent? SLNB? using? methylene? blue? dye.? The number of SLN harvested, number of lymph nodes confirmed on frozen section, frozen section result, number of SLN confirmed on paraffin block H&E, result of H&E. If frozen section of SLN was positive for metastasis, further data on the axillary lymph nodes harvested and its final H&E result were noted. The accuracy rate was determined.? Whenever a discordance of FS and H&E findings occurred, the interpreting pathologists were interviewed for the cause.RESULTS: A total of 34 SLNB procedures were performed. There were 24 SLNBs that turned out negative on frozen section while 10 were positive for metastasis and underwent further ALND. Three of the 24 negative SLNBs turned out to be positive (false negative rate of 12.5%). Out of the 10 positive SLNBs, 1 turned out to be negative (false positive rate of 10%). Only 6 of the 10 patients with (+) SLNB had? more? positive? nodes? harvested? upon? further? ALND.The accuracy rate of SLNB on frozen section was 88%, with sensitivity and? specificity? of? 90%? and? 87.5%? respectively.? There? were? 5 pathologists involved in the interpretations of the SLNB, and in 76% the? pathologist? interpreting? the? FS? was? different? from? the? one interpreting? the? permanent? specimen? H&E.? The? reasons? for discordance between frozen section and final H&E reading were inter-reader variability and tissue sampling limitation during frozen section.CONCLUSION:?The accuracy of frozen section in SLNB procedure is 88%.