Touch imprint cytology of core needle biopsy specimens: a useful method for immediate reporting of symptomatic breast lesions.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value and accuracy of touch imprint cytology (TIC) of core needle biopsy (CNB) specimens in predicting the final benign or malignant histology in patients presenting with symptomatic breast lesions.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-eight patients underwent CNB under ultrasonographic guidance with subsequent TIC preparation. TIC results were correlated with the histology of the core or the surgical resection specimen.


RESULTS
The 128 lesions analysed included 106 malignancies and 22 benign lesions. TIC accurately predicted the final histology in 96.7% of cases, with a sensitivity of 96.2% and a specificity of 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
The routine use of TIC to complement CNB can provide an immediate and reliable cytological diagnosis of symptomatic breast lesions. The potential use of this technique in a breast clinic setting may help allay patient anxiety and expedite the planning of further surgical management.
Klevesath
M B
MB
Department of Surgery, West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, England, UK. mk434@cam.ac.uk
Godwin
R J
RJ
Bannon
R
R
Munthali
L
L
Coveney
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional