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Comparative Study
. 2021 Apr;74(4):261-263.
doi: 10.1136/jclinpath-2020-206614. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Cytology in the time of coronavirus disease (COVID-19): an Italian perspective

Elena Vigliar  1 , Antonino Iaccarino  1 , Dario Bruzzese  1 , Umberto Malapelle  1 , Claudio Bellevicine  1 , Giancarlo Troncone  2
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Cytology in the time of coronavirus disease (COVID-19): an Italian perspective

Elena Vigliar et al. J Clin Pathol. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is changing the way we practice pathology, including fine needle aspiration (FNA) diagnostics. Although recommendations have been issued to prioritise patients at high oncological risk, postponing those with unsuspicious presentations, real world data have not been reported yet.

Methods: The percentages of the cytological sample types processed at the University of Naples Federico II, during the first 3 weeks of Italian national lockdown were compared with those of the same period in 2019.

Results: During the emergency, the percentage of cytology samples reported as malignant increased (p<0.001), reflecting higher percentages of breast (p=0.002) and lymph nodes FNAs (p=0.008), effusions (p<0.001) and urine (p=0.005). Conversely, thyroid FNAs (p<0.001) and Pap smears (p=0.003) were reduced.

Conclusions: Even in times of COVID-19 outbreak, cytological examination may be safely carried out in patients at high oncological risk, without the need to be postponed.

Keywords: cytological techniques; health services; infection control; medical oncology; safety.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of cytological sample types during the first 3 weeks of Italian national lockdown amid COVID-19 outbreak compared with data relative to the activity from the same period in 2019.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of the diagnostic classes relative to cytological samples processed during the first 3 weeks of Italian national lockdown amid COVID-19 outbreak compared with data relative to the activity from the same period in 2019.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Patients prioritisation in cytopathologist-run FNA clinic. In patients at low oncological risk (ie, unsuspicious thyroid nodules), FNAs are postponed or performed only after the clinicians confirmed its opportunity. In patients at higher oncological risk (ie, breast lumps, lymph nodes enlargement), FNAs are performed as usual. To identify patients with COVID-19 symptoms, a telephone triage is performed. FNA, fine needle aspiration.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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