Misinterpretation of normal cellular elements in fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens: observations from the College of American Pathologists Interlaboratory Comparison Program in Non-Gynecologic Cytopathology.
BACKGROUND
The College of American Pathologists Interlaboratory Comparison Program in Non-Gynecologic Cytopathology is a popular educational program for nongynecologic cytology, with 1018 participating laboratories by the end of 2000. Data generated from this program allow tracking pathologist performance in a wide variety of laboratory practices.


OBJECTIVE
To review performance of participating pathologists in making patient diagnoses with fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens, with particular interest in the false neoplastic diagnoses (both benign and malignant neoplasms) that were submitted for benign aspirates containing only normal cellular components.


METHODS
We reviewed the diagnoses made from 1998 through 2000 by participating pathologists through the use of glass slides containing benign fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and salivary gland that contained only normal cellular components.


RESULTS
The false neoplastic rate for kidney (60%) was the highest, followed by liver (37%), pancreas (10%), and salivary gland (6%). These rates are much higher than what has previously been reported in the literature.


CONCLUSIONS
This study illustrates that normal cellular elements are a significant pitfall for overinterpretation of fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens.
Young
Nancy A
NA
Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pa 19111, USA. na_young@fccc.edu
Mody
Dina R
DR
Davey
Diane D
DD
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000592:standards*; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000592:standards; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology*; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology*; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000592:standards; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology*; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States