title: Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of touch imprint cytology and frozen section techniques in detecting breast malignancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the diagnostic accuracy of touch imprint cytology and frozen section in the diagnosis of malignant breast lumps keeping histopathological diagnosis as the gold standard.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional validation study was conducted at Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad, from February 2011 to February 2012, and comprised patients undergoing mastectomy/lumpectomy. The specimens were collected from the operation theatre of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi. After tissue fixation, three representative sections were processed and the slides were stained with haematoxylin and eosin stain. The person analysing touch imprint cytology slides was blinded to the frozen section and histopathological slide results and vice-versa. Data was analysed using SPSS 17.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 76 patients with a mean age of 49±15.14 years, 61(80%) were diagnosed with malignant breast diseases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and true positives of touch imprint cytology were 96.72%, 100%, 100%, 88.24% and 96.72% respectively. The corresponding values of the frozen section were 100% each. The diagnostic accuracy calculated for touch imprints and frozen section was 97.37% and 100% respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnostic accuracy of frozen section was better than touch imprint cytology in rapid intra-operative diagnosis. However, touch imprints can safely be used as an alternative intra-operative procedure to ensure satisfactory results.
authors.affiliation: DHA Phase-1, Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad.
authors.forename: Safina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad.
authors.forename: Mumtaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005629:Frozen Sections; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D003557:Phyllodes Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: Frozen section, Breast cancer, Accuracy, Sensitivity, Specificity.