Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 Nov;44(11):880-887.
doi: 10.1002/dc.23597. Epub 2016 Sep 4.

Impact of routine cell block preparation on results of head and neck fine needle aspirates

Michael D Carter  1 , David P Moore  2 , Rebecca F MacIntosh  2 , Martin J Bullock  2
Affiliations

Impact of routine cell block preparation on results of head and neck fine needle aspirates

Michael D Carter et al. Diagn Cytopathol. 2016 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of head and neck masses is a common technique for providing cytology specimens to guide patient management. Cell blocks made from these specimens can be beneficial. Policy at our institution was changed from production of cell blocks only when requested by the pathologist to routine production for all non-parotid gland head and neck FNAs. The program was evaluated in terms of its impact on diagnosis and specimen turnaround time (TAT).

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out using electronic records at our institution. The Intervention group consisted of FNAs obtained in the 15-month period following implementation of routine cell block preparation (n = 391). The Control group consisted of the same specimens obtained in the 15 months prior to implementation (n = 403). The groups were compared with regards to diagnostic distribution into five categories-Unsatisfactory, Negative/Benign, Abnormal, Suggestive of Malignancy, and Malignant. Cytological-histological correlation and TAT were also compared. Chi square and t tests with P < 0.05 threshold were used.

Results: There was no difference in diagnostic distribution between the two groups (P = 0.59) and TAT was unchanged (P = 0.74). Cytological-histological correlation was borderline improved in the Intervention group, with fewer false negatives (33.0% Intervention, 44.3% Control, P = 0.050). The cost of the program was estimated at CAD$53.60/cell block, or CAD$16,771/year.

Conclusion: Implementation of routine cell blocks for head and neck FNAs did not result in a difference in diagnostic distribution or improve case turnaround time despite incurring substantial cost. Correlation with final histology, however, was borderline improved, with fewer false negatives. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:880-887. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords: cell block; cytology; fine needle aspirate; head and neck neoplasms; routine diagnostic test.

PubMed Disclaimer

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources