Accuracy of intra-operative imprint smears in breast tumours: A study of 40 cases with review of literature

Context: Imprint smears are invaluable diagnostic tool for intra-operative evaluation of breast tumours. Aims: The aim of this study was (1) to evaluate the accuracy of intra-operative imprint smears in breast tumours. (2) to compare the results with that of published literature on imprint smears of breast tumours. Materials and Methods: 40 cases of breast tumours underwent intra-operative imprint smears between March 2003 to April 2004, the results of which were compared to the post-operative final histopathological sections. Statistical Analysis Used: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated. Results: Of the 40 cases, 21 were malignant and 19 were benign. The accuracy rate for benign lesions was 100% and that for malignant lesions was 97.5% with a false negative rate of 2.5%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 95.24%, 100%, 100% and 95% respectively. Conclusions: Intra-operative imprint smears like frozen sections help in on table diagnosis, wherein the fine needle aspiration cytology is inconclusive or suspicious. Imprint smears is a simple, accurate, rapid and cost-effective diagnostic tool, intra-operatively wherein facilities for frozen section are not available