Fine needle aspiration biopsy in conjunction with cell block preparation: a study of 1000 cases at pathology department P.I.M.S. Islamabad

ABSTRACT

This study is based on an analysis of 1000 fine needle aspiration biopsies in which both cytology smears and paraffin cell block were available. The histology slides from these cell blocks were studied and the cases were divided into 3 categories. In category A 903 [90.3%] cases fall which show a definitive histological diagnosis of the lesion as well as type of the lesion can be made. In category B, included 81 [8.1%] cases, only the presence of lesion could be detected, but the type of lesion was not ascertained. In category C which consisted of 16 [1.6%] cases, the tissue was insufficient for reliable diagnosis. Comparison of the cytologic diagnosis based on aspiration smear with the cell block diagnosis revealed that in 210 [21%] cases only cell block was positive while in another 130 [13%] of cases the diagnosis from the cell block was more precise and specific. These results indicate that cell blocks can enhance the effectiveness of fine needle aspiration biopsy in establishing a pathologic diagnosis. Moreover the cell block preparation in addition to routine FNA cytology smears provide a valuable tool for the evaluation of a lesion and for proper selection of a patient for surgery or for other means of treatment