title: Role of deeper sections in diagnostic oral histopathology: a retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Histopathology is a gold standard diagnostic tool for many lesions. Interpretation of tissue sections is a pivotal step in giving the diagnosis. Usually, initial tissue sections may not show complete features of the lesion, so deeper sections of the specimen may play a significant role at times for final diagnosis. In small biopsy specimens, deeper sectioning is routinely used in many laboratories to enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of the diagnosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the percentage of deeper sections taken and its significance in the final diagnosis of oral lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 500 cases from the files of Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Vishnu Dental College, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh were analyzed, and cases of deeper sections were selected. The present retrospective study involves comparison of initial histological findings with those seen in deeper tissue levels of same specimen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  40 cases (8%) were selected for our analysis. Out of these, 19 cases (47.5%) required deeper sections as the initial sections were superficial and undiagnostic. 21 (52.5%) cases were advised for additional sections to confirm, rule out or clarify certain diagnoses, out of which 15 (37.5%) disclosed additional pathological findings, whereas 6 cases (15%) showed the same histological features.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diagnostic laboratories must balance the utility of deeper levels with the additional time required and expense incurred and the impact on patient care. Deeper sections are inevitable in certain situations and periodical auditing of laboratory work will reduce the need for additional sections and delay in the dispatch of biopsy report.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Vishnu Dental College, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India. drravikanth@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ravikanth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manyam
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reena
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Saraswathi
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006652:Histological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity