Role of imprint cytology in the diagnosis of ovarian neoplasms

Abstract

Primary ovarian neoplasms constitute a heterogenous group of benign and malignant tumors of epithelial, sex cord–stromal, mesenchymal and germ cell origin. Secondary tumors constitute a minority. The management of benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms varies and it is here that imprint cytology plays a crucial role in diagnosis. It provides a rapid intraoperative diagnosis which will decide further treatment course for the patient. Imprint cytology of ovarian neoplasms is simple, inexpensive, challenging and provides a rapid diagnosis with excellent cellular details. The aim of the present study is to determine the role of imprint cytology in the diagnosis of ovarian neoplasms. A retrospective study was conducted in the department of pathology. A total of 53 cases were included in the study. In 48 cases, the imprint cytology findings correlated with the histopathological diagnosis. 5 cases did not correlate. Epithelial ovarian tumors accounted for the majority, (85%) followed by germ cell tumors (9.4%) and sex cord stromal tumors (5.6%). The sensitivity and specificity were 93.75% and 100% respectively. Thus imprint cytology is an effective cytological method in the diagnosis of ovarian neoplasms. Knowledge of specific cytological features for each tumor type helps in accurate diagnosis which in turn is valuable in immediate appropriate treatment and management of patients with benign or malignant neoplasms.

Scrape cytology – Diagnostic tool in large intestinal tumors

“…The use of imprint and scrape preparation has since been covered in a number of publications, particularly as a tool for intraoperative diagnosis. 9 Following these first studies, the traditional evaluation of frozen sections has often replaced by the use of cytology samples during intraoperative consultation. This appears to be because intraoperative cytology's diagnostic accuracy is equivocal with that of frozen section.…”