Imprint cytology: A rapid, reliable method of diagnosing breast malignancy

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare imprint cytology with fine needle aspiration biopsy and histology for the intraoperative diagnosis of breast malignancy. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated imprint cytology, comparing it with other diagnostic techniques. Three hundred fifty-one cases (180 benign and 171 malignant) were studied by fine needle aspiration cytology, imprint cytology and histopathology. RESULTS: Imprint cytology, as compared to histopathology, had 98.3% accuracy, with 97.1% sensitivity and 99.4% specificity. Aspiration cytology was less accurate than imprint cytology as compared to histopathology (accuracy 94.9%, sensitivity 93.9%, specificity 96.2%). CONCLUSION: These data confirm the value of imprint cytology and suggest that it could be used intraoperatively as an alternative to frozen section if a pathology laboratory is not available. © 1996 The International Academy of Cytology Acta Cytologica