Diagnostic Utility of Cell Block Preparation of Fine Needle Aspiration Material

Abstract

In routine FNAC, 15 to 20% are classified as non-diagnostic due to scanty cellullarity. Cell blocks can be prepared from the residual material of FNA obtained by flushing the needle hub. This ensures maximum utilization of all available material. This work aims to study comparative cytopathology in conventional smears & Cell blocks & the advantages and disadvantages of cell block technique over conventional smears. Present study was cross sectional study carried in a tertiary care hospital. Routine FNAC was done on 270 patients, cell blocks were made from residual material left behind after preparing conventional cytology smears. Conventional FNAC smears were adequate in 221 and Cell blocks in 214 cases. In 199 cases both conventional FNAC smears and Cell blocks were adequate, while in 22 only conventional smears were adequate and in 15 only Cell blocks were adequate. Adequacy of conventional FNAC smears and Cell Blocks were 81.85% and 79.25% respectively. Combined adequacy rate of conventional FNAC smears and Cell blocks was 87.40%. The study concluded that Cell blocks from the FNA material remaining in hub or syringe, after conventional smear preparation increases cellular yield, architectural pattern & add to diagnostic efficacy of smear preparation of same patient without repeating the FNA or incurring an additional procedure.