title: Fine-needle biopsy of external ear canal masses in the cat: cytologic results and histologic correlations in 27 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The cytologic diagnosis of ear canal tumors is difficult or impossible by swab alone because cell exfoliation may be poor and neoplastic cells may be masked by associated inflammation. Fine-needle biopsy (FNB) can be used to obtain a higher yield of cells for diagnosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and diagnostic value of FNB and cytologic examination in providing an accurate diagnosis of masses growing in the external ear canal of cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cytologic specimens from masses in the external ear canal, taken under inhaled, general anesthesia, were classified into 4 groups: 1) ceruminous gland hyperplasia or adenoma, 2) ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma, 3) inflammatory polyps, and 4) other neoplastic and non-neoplastic masses. Cytopathologic diagnoses were compared with the final histopathologic diagnoses, and indices of diagnostic test accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, diagnostic-odds ratios) were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven masses (from 25 cats, including 2 cats affected bilaterally) were included in the study. The results showed good correspondence between cytologic and histologic diagnoses with an overall agreement index (kappa) of .74, a diagnostic odds ratio of 22, and 100% (27/27) agreement in the diagnosis of inflammatory polyps versus neoplasia (both benign and malignant).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FNB cytopathology of external ear masses in the cat was sufficiently accurate for distinguishing inflammatory polyps from neoplasia. For differentiation of benign proliferation and malignant neoplasia, however, histopathologic confirmation is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Veterinaria S Marco, Padua, Italy; Clinica Veterinaria Gran Sasso, Milan, Italy. ddeloren@tin.it
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Lorenzi
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bonfanti
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masserdotti
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tranquillo
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000662:veterinary; D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000473:pathology*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D034801:Mastocytoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D011127:Polyps / Q000662:veterinary; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity