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

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.