Qualitative and quantitative analysis of cytologic assessment of astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and oligoastrocytoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of intraoperative cytology for differential diagnoses of astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and oligoastrocytoma.


METHODS
Qualitative analysis of cytologic features of the 3 brain tumors was conducted using intraoperative touch or squash preparations that were stained with the Papanicolaou method, targeting the cellular density, cytoplasmic and nuclear profiles and blood vessel morphology. In addition, we attempted a computer-assisted image analysis of tumor cell nuclei and compared the results with qualitative observations.


RESULTS
Astrocytomas were characterized by many fibrillary cytoplasmic processes and large, irregular nuclei. Oligodendrogliomas were characterized by small, round nuclei and a fine, delicate capillary network. In both tumors of a higher grade, anaplastic large nuclei and proliferating endothelial cells were noted. Oligoastrocytomas showed combined cytologic profiles of astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. Quantitative studies suggested that nuclei of oligodendroglial tumors were significantly rounder than those of astrocytomas. In general, the quantitative results were consistent with the qualitative observations. CONCLUSION; Cytologic evaluation using touch or squash preparations is of great help for intraoperative differential diagnosis of astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and oligoastrocytoma. Cytologic as well as histologic assessment should be conducted at the intraoperative diagnosis of these tumors.
Inagawa
Hatsumi
H
Department of Pathology, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan.
Ishizawa
Keisuke
K
Hirose
Takanori
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002452:Cell Count; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis*