Cytopathologic touch preparations (imprints) from core needle biopsies: accuracy compared with that of fine-needle aspirates.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the touch preparation (imprint) cytology method for obtaining rapid interpretations from core material obtained during abdominal percutaneous biopsy. For 28 patients undergoing biopsy of abdominal masses, paired slides were prepared for rapid staining by use of smears of standard fine-needle aspirates and by use of a touch preparation of the core material obtained with a semiautomated biopsy gun. The slides were scored in comparison with the final cytopathologic and histopathologic diagnosis. Touch preparation slides were equivalent in diagnostic yield to fine-needle aspirate smears, demonstrating similar cellular features. Touch preparation slides revealed features of tumor architecture not present on smears. Touch preparation cytology offers rapid diagnosis from a single core biopsy sample. Carefully performed, the touch preparation method preserves the core material for subsequent permanent fixation and sectioning.