Publication: Intraoperative consultation and smear cytology in the diagnosis of brain tumours
Date
2008
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Intraoperative smear cytology provides a rapid and reliable intraoperative diagnosis and guidance to
the neurosurgeon during surgical resection and lesion targeting. It also helps the surgeon to monitor and modify the
approach at surgery.
Objectives: 1) To assess the utility of intraoperative smear cytology and correlate with the nal histopathological
diagnosis. 2) To describe the cytomorphological features of common brain tumours in smear preparation.
Materials and methods: The material for this study was obtained from 100 consecutive biopsies of central nervous system
neoplasms sent for intraoperative consultation. Smears were prepared from the biopsy samples sent in isotonic saline for
immediate processing. The smears were stained by the rapid Haematoxylin and Eosin method. The cytomorphological
features were noted and correlated with paraf n section ndings.
Results: Of the total 100 cases, 86 showed accuracy when compared with histopathological diagnosis. This was
comparable with other studies. Of the remaining, two cases were frank errors, 12 cases showed partial correlation, with
ve cases showed incomplete typing of the cell type and seven, discrepancy in grading of tumours. The error percentage
was 14%. Correlation with clinical details and radiological ndings were helpful in improving the accuracy rate.
Conclusions: Smear technique is a fairly accurate, relatively safe, rapid, simple, easily reproducible and cost effective
tool to diagnose brain tumours. Smear cytology is of great value in intraoperative consultation of central nervous system
pathology.
Key words: Intraoperative consultation, smear cytology, central nervous system neoplasms
Description
Kini JR1 , Jeyraj V2, Jayaprakash CS 3, Indira S 3 , Naik CNR 4
1 Associate Professor, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, 2Tutor, 3Associate Professor, 4Professor, Department of Pathology, Fr Muller Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.