Scrimp technique in the rapid cytologic diagnosis of surgical specimens - A local experience

ABSTRACT

A rapid tissue preparation to establish the diagnosis of surgical specimens was reported. The specific reason to request such a preparation usually relates to a suspicion of a neoplastic lesion. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of scrimp technique, a modification of imprint cytology, in the rapid intraoperative diagnosis of tumors as compared with frozen section. Scrape and imprints of tumors were made from 86 unfixed specimens at the time of frozen section. Rapid and permanent staining methods were employed and the accuracy of diagnosis was compared with frozen and paraffin preparations. The results showed that the sensitivity and specificity of scrimp preparation were 95% each as compared with frozen section which has 98% and 100% respectively which manifested a negligible inferiority over frozen section. This technique was simple, fast, easy, and reliable and does not require special instruments or time consuming set-up. While not meant to replace frozen section, it can be an excellent adjunct or alternative especially in remote and secondary hospitals unequipped with sophisticated apparatus. (Author)