title: Comparative Assessment of the Accuracy of Cytological and Histologic Biopsies in the Diagnosis of Canine Bone Lesions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteosarcoma (OSA) should be differentiated from other less frequent primary bone neoplasms, metastatic disease, and tumor-like lesions, as treatment and prognosis can vary accordingly. Hence, a preoperative histologic diagnosis is generally preferred. This requires collection of multiple biopsies under general anesthesia, with possible complications, including pathological fractures. Fine-needle aspiration cytology would allow an earlier diagnosis with a significant reduction of discomfort and morbidity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of cytological and histologic biopsies in the diagnosis of canine osteodestructive lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight dogs with bone lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study. Accuracy was assessed by comparing the former diagnosis with the final histologic diagnosis on surgical or post-mortem samples or, in the case of non-neoplastic lesions, with follow-up information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 50 primary malignant bone tumors (40 OSAs, 5 chondrosarcomas, 2 fibrosarcomas, and 3 poorly differentiated sarcomas), 6 carcinoma metastases, and 12 non-neoplastic lesions. Accuracy was 83% for cytology (sensitivity, 83.3%; specificity, 80%) and 82.1% for histology (sensitivity, 72.2%; specificity, 100%). Tumor type was correctly identified cytologically and histologically in 50 and 55.5% of cases, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The accuracy of cytology was similar to histology, even in the determination of tumor type. In no case was a benign lesion diagnosed as malignant on cytology. This is the most important error to prevent, as treatment for malignant bone tumors includes aggressive surgery. Being a reliable diagnostic method, cytology should be further considered to aid decisions in the preoperative setting of canine bone lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabattini
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buracco
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Defourny
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garnier-Moiroux
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Capitani
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1857-7329
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bettini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000662:veterinary; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D002813:Chondrosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: Bone tumors; Cytology; Dog; Osteosarcoma