Efficacy of Imprint Cytology in the Diagnosis of Ovarian Tumors

Abstract

Objective: The study is mainly addressed to the gynaecologists and surgeons, and the purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy of intraoperative imprint cytology in the diagnosis of ovarian masses.
Methodology: A prospective, non-randomized, cross-sectional, descriptive study is done in the Department of Pathology, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. Duration of the study was 3 years from July 2015 to July 2018. An unfixed ovarian sample received in the pathology department, was immediately used for preparing imprint smears on glass slides. The slides were fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol. Staining was done using hematoxyin and Eosin stains. The results of intraoperative touch cytology were compared with histopathological diagnosis. The statistical efficacy of imprint cytology was determined by comparing it with the histopathological findings.
Results: Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the imprint cytology and histopathology were compared. Sensitivity and specificity were 82.2% and 89.4 % respectively. Positive Predictive value was 92.7 %. The negative predictive value was 75%.
Conclusion: Imprint cytology is a simple and cost-effective diagnostic strategy, especially useful in resource limited countries like Pakistan, in making a quick intraoperative diagnosis for the optimal treatment regimens.