1. Impact of routine cell block generation on diagnostic yields for fine needle aspirates from various sites.
- Author
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MacNeil, J. Alex B. and Filter, Emily R.
- Subjects
BODY fluids ,HEAD & neck cancer ,PAROTID glands ,LYMPH nodes ,QUALITY assurance - Abstract
Objective: At our institution, cell blocks (CBs) are routinely produced for all body fluid samples, lung fine needle aspirations (FNAs), non-salivary gland and non-thyroid head and neck FNAs, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided (EUS) FNAs that have undergone rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). For all remaining FNA specimens, CBs are generated only if requested by the pathologist. A recent inhouse trial evaluated the impact of routine CBs for all non-parotid and non-thyroid head and neck FNAs and revealed fewer false negative diagnoses with this approach. The aim of this study is to further evaluate the utility of routine CB preparation for other FNA specimen types. Method(s): This prospective study compared pre and post-CB diagnoses of FNAs obtained from lymph nodes, salivary glands, soft tissue lesions, EUS FNAs with and without ROSE, and other miscellaneous sites excluding thyroid and breast FNAs. Cell blocks were automatically generated for these FNA specimens over a period of four consecutive months. The pre and post cell-block diagnoses were compared and any potential impacts on diagnoses were recorded. Data and results: A total of 116 FNA specimens were included in the study. In 22 (18.9%) of these cases, the CB provided additional information that contributed to the final diagnosis. Parotid lesion FNAs were the most frequently associated with contributory CB material. In 9 of 38 parotid FNAs reviewed (23.7%), the CBs contained architectural features and/or confirmed lesional cell type allowing for a more definitive diagnosis. Conclusions: The findings support routine generation of CBs for some specimen types, particularly parotid lesion FNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017