Abstract
Background: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a common procedure done for suspected cases of gastric malignancies. Histopathological examination of gastric tissue has been a gold standard for the diagnosis. Imprint smears of the gastric biopsy specimen is a useful and rapid alternative diagnostic tool. This study was conducted to assess the accuracy of gastric biopsy imprint cytology as compared to the histopathology.
 Materials and Methods: Imprint smears were made from all cases of gastric biopsy specimens taken from suspected cases of gastric malignancies. They were evaluated by three pathologists and categorized in to negative for malignancy, suspicious of malignancy and positive for malignancy. The diagnosis given by imprint smears was compared with histopathology. With the help of sensitivity, specificity & accuracy and Kappa score, the agreement between the imprint smear and histopathology was determined.
 Results: Among the total 79 cases, 49 cases were chronic non specific gastritis and 22 were adenocarcinoma. The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of gastric biopsy imprint smear were 92.0%, 98.11% and 94.93% respectively. Kappa core was 0.88.
 Conclusions: The gastric biopsy imprint smears is a rapid diagnostic tool and can be used routinely as an adjunct to histopathology in the diagnosis of gastric malignancies.
Highlights
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations are very common in Nepal
Gastric cytology could be a useful adjunct to histopathology
Several studies have proven the diagnostic role of gastric cytology for the establishment of Helicobacter Pylori infection.[1,2]
Summary
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations are very common in Nepal. The gastric symptoms include pain, burning sensation, nausea, loss of appetite, early satiety etc. Many of these symptoms are caused by gastritis or gastric ulcer and sometimes by gastric malignancy. Upper GI endoscopy is very helpful in these patients to come to a diagnosis. Biopsy is usually taken if there is suspicion of malignancy. Histopathological examination has been always a gold standard in the diagnosis of gastric cancer. Gastric cytology could be a useful adjunct to histopathology. Several studies have proven the diagnostic role of gastric cytology for the establishment of Helicobacter Pylori infection.[1,2]
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