title: Efficacy of Oral Brush Biopsy without Computer-Assisted Analysis in Oral Premalignant and Malignant Lesions: A Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the present study, the reliability of oral brush biopsy in identifying dysplasia in clinically diagnosed oral potentially malignant and malignant lesions was evaluated while comparing the findings with scalpel biopsy in terms of sensitivity and specificity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In our study, a total number of 50 patients that included both premalignant and malignant lesions were included. Oral brush cytology using a cytobrush was done for all patients, which was followed by incisional biopsy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were obtained. To see the agreement between two modalities Kappa test of agreement was applied. A P < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Proportions were compared using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Brush cytology using a cytobrush is a reliable adjunct to histopathology in detecting oral premalignant and malignant oral lesions and can be easily performed with less cost and less discomfort. This technique showed a reasonable sensitivity and specificity thus substantiating its reliability in evaluation of oral premalignant and malignant lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The oral brush biopsy is a simple and rapid, non-invasive and relatively painless and well accepted by patient. It is suitable in population screening programs and for pre- and post-treatment observation of confirmed premalignant and malignant lesions and has proved applications in incapacitated areas.
authors: Post Graduate Student, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Guru Nanak Dev Dental and Research Institute, Sunam, Punjab, India.
authors: Aarti
authors: A
authors: Trakroo
authors: Professor & Head, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Guru Nanak Dev Dental and Research Institute, Sunam, Punjab, India.
authors: M K
authors: MK
authors: Sunil
authors: Reader, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Guru Nanak Dev Dental and Research Institute, Sunam, Punjab, India.
authors: Ashwarya
authors: A
authors: Trivedi
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, DJ College of Dental Science and Research, Modinagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Ranjana
authors: R
authors: Garg
authors: Professor & Head, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Maharashtra Institute of Dental Science and Research (Dental College), Lathur, Maharashtra, India.
authors: Arun
authors: A
authors: Kulkarni
authors: Post Graduate Student, Guru Nanak Dev Dental College & Research Institute, Sunam, Punjab, India.
authors: Saloni
authors: S
authors: Arora
keywords: Cytobrush; cytopathology; incisional biopsy; malignant lesions; potentially malignant