title: Cytology of endoscopically obtained biopsies for the diagnosis of chronic intestinal diseases in cats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the diagnostic value of cytology of endoscopically obtained biopsies in cats presented for chronic gastrointestinal complaints with emphasis on the diagnosis of low-grade alimentary lymphoma (LGAL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of endoscopically obtained duodenal biopsies from 137 cats were evaluated retrospectively. Cytology was performed using the squash smear technique with subsequent Diff Quick® staining. Pathological findings were categorized according to type and grade of the inflammatory infiltrate. Moreover, reports were reviewed with regard to diagnosis of LGAL. Histopathology reports were analysed correspondingly and compared to cytology results. Histopathological samples were further evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) if a diagnosis of LGAL had been expressed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Squash smear preparation of intestinal biopsies was adequate for cytological examination in >97% of cases. Using histopathology as gold standard, with cytology, a sensitivity and specificity for detection of a pathologic process in feline intestinal biopsies of 68.1% and 70.6% were calculated, respectively. Regarding the detection of lymphoplasmacytic (LPE) and eosinophilic enteritis a statistically significant correlation with histopathology (p<0.05) was observed. With regard to grade of the inflammatory infiltrate, a weak correlation was calculated (r=0.482). Of 21 cats diagnosed or suspected with LGAL by cytology, IHC confirmed nine cases whereas 11 cases were reclassified as LPE. None of the confirmed LGAL had been missed with histopathology. A sensitivity of 60.0% and specificity of 90.6% for cytological detection of feline LGAL was obtained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sensitivity of cytology to diagnose LGAL is low and it has no additional significance to histological biopsies.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Susanne Mangelsdorf, Small Animal Clinic Haar, Keferloher Straße 25, 85540 Haar, Germany, Email: s_mangelsdorf@hotmail.de.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mangelsdorf
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Teske
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: v Bomhard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stockhaus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D002415:Cats; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: Squash smear technique; histopathology; immunohistochemistry; inflammatory bowel disease; lymphoma