A method of assessing the adequacy of trucut biopsy specimens obtained with a 19-gauge trucut core biopsy needle.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a simple and accurate method of evaluating trucut biopsy (TCB) specimen.


METHODS
We performed 40 ex vivo TCBs of surgical specimens under direct visual guidance with the Quick-Core needle (Wilson-Cook, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A). Touch preparations were made using 4 methods. Slides were stained with a modified Wright-Giemsa stain, and biopsies were processed for histology. Slides were blindly classified as malignant, suspicious, atypical, benign or inadequate. The ease of the 4 touch preparation methods was compared.


RESULTS
There were 20 TCBs of benign tissue and 20 of malignant tissue. Cytologic interpretation could be made in 34 of 40 cases and was correct in 25 of 34 cases. Touching the biopsy to a glass slide was significantly easier than the 3 other methods tested.


CONCLUSIONS
Touch preparations can be made easily with TCB samples and can provide information about specimen adequacy and diagnosis.
Jacobson
Brian C
BC
Section of Gastroenterology and Department of Pathology, Boston University Medical Center, Massachusetts 02118, USA. brian.jacobson@bmc.org
Dubinchik
Irina V
IV
Swan
Niall
N
D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013194:Staining and Labeling