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. 2014 Dec 20:14:653.
doi: 10.1186/s12913-014-0653-7.

Profile of usage of a reference diagnostic service on oral pathology: a 10-year evaluation

Karla Rachel Oliveira e Silva  1 , Ana Luísa Lara Siqueira  2 , Patrícia Carlos Caldeira  3 , Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães de Abreu  4 , Maria Cássia Ferreira de Aguiar  5
Affiliations

Profile of usage of a reference diagnostic service on oral pathology: a 10-year evaluation

Karla Rachel Oliveira e Silva et al. BMC Health Serv Res. .

Abstract

Background: Despite the professional and academic relevance of the Brazilian oral pathology diagnostic laboratories, no information about their usage profile is available in the English literature. The objective of the present study is to report data about the histopathological and immunohistochemical exams performed in a Brazilian regional reference laboratory of oral pathology, as well as its main users.

Methods: Information about all histopathological exams performed between 2002 and 2012 was retrieved from the files of the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Service of the School of Dentistry of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Data collected included: 1) requestor of exam; 2) diagnosis classification; and 3) immunohistochemical tests. Descriptive statistical analyses were done.

Results: 13,522 histopathological exams were performed, mean 1,229/year. The Public Health System of the city of Belo Horizonte was the main requestor of exams (77.13%), followed by private professionals (19.26%), and other cities (2.03%). Most lesions were considered benign (12,599/ 93.17%), with 854 malignant lesions (6.32%). 469 immunohistochemical tests were performed; 324 (69.08%) were from benign diagnosis, and 145 (30.92%) from malignant diagnosis. The most used antibodies were against S100, vimentin, smooth muscle actin, actin muscle specific HHF-35, and pan-cytokeratin AE1/AE3.

Conclusions: Public Health System is the major user of the diagnostic service on oral pathology in our institution. Most diagnoses were of benign lesions, although many malignant lesions were detected. Immunohistochemistry was particularly important in solving challenging cases.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Requestors of the exams over 10 years – absolute number.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Requestors of the exams over 10 years - percentage.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Absolute number of immunohistochemical tests and diagnoses of benign and malignant lesions. The main axis refers to “immunohistochemistry” and “malignant lesions” values. The secondary axis refers to “benign lesions” values.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Antibodies’ specificity used in immunohistochemistry.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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