title: Intraoperative estimation of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer by imprint cytology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Frozen section biopsy has been widely used for intraoperative diagnosis and evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes, so a decision can be made regarding whether to perform axillary clearance during primary surgery. This study aims to discuss the reliability of a simpler and faster method - touch imprint cytology - in the interpretation of metastasis from breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of 41 sentinel lymph node biopsies from patients with breast cancer were examined by intraoperative imprint cytology using rapid Diff-Quick staining. Paraffin-embedded permanent sections were examined using hematoxylin and eosin stained sections from the sentinel lymph nodes in collaboration with the employment of an anti-cytokeratin antibody.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen of all sentinel nodes harbored metastases in the paraffin sections, of which all 16 were identified by imprint cytology (sensitivity 93%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Touch imprint cytology is a fast and reliable alternative for intraoperative evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Limberis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romanidis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galazios
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koutsougeras
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lambropoulou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simopoulos