Fine needle aspiration of palpable breast lesions. Results obtained with cytocentrifuge preparation of aspirates.

The use of cytocentrifugation in the preparation of fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens from the breast was evaluated. A total of 174 fine needle aspirates of breast masses were flushed into cytospin Collection Fluid, from which Papanicolaou-stained Cytospin preparations were made in the laboratory. Comparison of these preparations to conventional smears of aspirates showed no significant differences in the number or morphology of the cells. In 148 cases, the FNA cytologic study was followed up by excisional biopsy, Tru-Cut biopsy and/or a combination of mammography and clinical follow-up of two to nine months. Of 36 verified carcinomas, 31 (86%) were correctly diagnosed, with a zero false-positive rate. Among the 74 cytologically benign aspirates, 2 carcinomas were found on open biopsy, giving a false-negative rate of 3%. Lipomas were not diagnosable with this technique. This technique should be considered in institutions with a high turnover of junior staff members, which frequently results in a higher number of poorly smeared specimens or in poorly fixed/air-dried specimens that give suboptimal results with the Papanicolaou stain. With this method, there is less risk of creation of potentially hazardous aerosols and further preparations for additional studies may be made if required.