Cytological Smears and Cell Blocks on Endobronchial Aspirates Complement each other and Allow a Higher Diagnostic Yield

Abstract

The accurate diagnosis of lung carcinoma has become compulsory especially after the introduction of new target therapies. Most of the patients are non operable. This fact points out the diagnostic importance of the cytology specimen. Our target was to assess the diagnostic efficacy of bronchial smears and cell blocks by comparing their results with those of the final diagnoses made on biopsies. We conducted a prospective study of 55 bronchial aspirates. It showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100% when coupling both techniques. These results put emphasis on the diagnostic efficacy of both bronchial smears and cell blocks in diagnosing bronchial carcinoma.