title: Brushing cytology in cutaneous lesions of the head and neck.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brushing cytology is a well established diagnostic procedure used by gynaecologists, physicians and surgeons to obtain representative samples from lesions. Our aim was to evaluate its reliability in ulcerative and tumour-like conditions arising in the skin of the head and neck.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over 28 months, 86 patients with suspected cutaneous malignant lesions underwent a cytological examination with a cytobrush within the otolaryngology department.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cytological analysis identified 63 out of 64 histologically documented malignant tumours (60 primary basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas and three metastatic adenocarcinomas), and 21 out of 22 benign lesions. There was one false positive and one false negative result.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brushing cytology of suspected cutaneous malignant lesions is a rapid and reliable diagnostic method which helps the clinician to decide on appropriate planning and treatment. The technique can be performed as an out-patient procedure, and smear preparation can be done in the laboratory, even at a peripheral hospital.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytopathology, Chania General Hospital, Chania, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tamiolakis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Proimos
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Perogamvrakis
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Skoulakis
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Papadakis
mesh_terms: D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*