Utility of immediate on-site cytopathological procurement and evaluation in fine needle aspiration biopsy of head and neck masses

David W. Eisele, Mark E. Sherman, Wayne M. Koch, William J. Richtsmeier, Agnes Y. Wu, Yener S. Erozan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

The utility of on-site microscopic evaluation of fine needle aspirates (FNAs) of the head and neck was assessed by comparing the diagnostic yield in 336 specimens obtained with immediate on-site cytopathological procurement and evaluation to that achieved in 548 cases performed without immediate on-site evaluation. Three hundred six (91%) of 336 immediate evaluation specimens were adequate for cytopathologic diagnosis, compared to 391 (71%) of 548 specimens not evaluated immediately (P<.001, chi-squared test). The higher satisfactory rate in immediate evaluation cases was related primarily to 1. immediate reaspiration of the masses until sufficient cytopathologic material was obtained for diagnosis; and 2. optimal specimen preparation. It is concluded that immediate on-site cytopathological procurement and evaluation of fine needle aspirates of head and neck masses is a valuable practice which assures a higher yield of adequate specimens compared to biopsies taken without immediate evaluation. The technique of immediate on-site evaluation of FNAs is discussed and a cost-benefit analysis of immediate on-site evaluation of FNAs is presented.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1328-1330
Number of pages3
JournalLaryngoscope
Volume102
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1992

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

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