title: Diagnostic value of cytologic examination of gastrointestinal tract tumors in dogs and cats: 83 cases (2001-2004).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine results of cytologic examination of fine-needle aspirates and impression smears of gastrointestinal tract tumors in dogs and cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  38 dogs and 44 cats with histologically confirmed gastrointestinal tract tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results of cytologic examination of fine-needle aspirates (n = 67) or impression smears (31) were compared with the histologic diagnosis, and extent of agreement was classified as complete, partial, none, or undetermined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For 48 of the 67 (72%) fine-needle aspirates, there was complete or partial agreement between the cytologic and histologic diagnoses. For 12 (18%) aspirates, the extent of agreement could not be determined because the cytologic specimen was considered unsatisfactory. For 29 of the 31 (94%) impression smears, there was complete agreement between the cytologic and histologic diagnoses, and for 2 (6%), there was partial agreement. None of the impression smears were considered unsatisfactory. Proportion of samples with complete agreement and proportion of samples with complete or partial agreement were significantly higher for impression smears than for fine-needle aspirates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that there was moderate agreement between results of cytologic examination of fine-needle aspirates from dogs and cats with gastrointestinal tract neoplasia and the definitive histologic diagnosis. The agreement between results of cytologic examination of impression smears and the histologic diagnosis appeared to be higher.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Veterinaria Gran Sasso, via Donatello 26, 20131, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bonfanti
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bertazzolo
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bottero
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Lorenzi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marconato
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masserdotti
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zatelli
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies