Abstract
BackgroundDespite the professional and academic relevance of the Brazilian oral pathology diagnostic laboratories, no information about their usage profile is available in the English literature. The objective of the present study is to report data about the histopathological and immunohistochemical exams performed in a Brazilian regional reference laboratory of oral pathology, as well as its main users.MethodsInformation about all histopathological exams performed between 2002 and 2012 was retrieved from the files of the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Service of the School of Dentistry of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Data collected included: 1) requestor of exam; 2) diagnosis classification; and 3) immunohistochemical tests. Descriptive statistical analyses were done.Results13,522 histopathological exams were performed, mean 1,229/year. The Public Health System of the city of Belo Horizonte was the main requestor of exams (77.13%), followed by private professionals (19.26%), and other cities (2.03%). Most lesions were considered benign (12,599/ 93.17%), with 854 malignant lesions (6.32%). 469 immunohistochemical tests were performed; 324 (69.08%) were from benign diagnosis, and 145 (30.92%) from malignant diagnosis. The most used antibodies were against S100, vimentin, smooth muscle actin, actin muscle specific HHF-35, and pan-cytokeratin AE1/AE3.ConclusionsPublic Health System is the major user of the diagnostic service on oral pathology in our institution. Most diagnoses were of benign lesions, although many malignant lesions were detected. Immunohistochemistry was particularly important in solving challenging cases.
Highlights
Despite the professional and academic relevance of the Brazilian oral pathology diagnostic laboratories, no information about their usage profile is available in the English literature
We hope to contribute to the improvement of the oral pathology and oral medicine visibility among dentists, general pathologists, and medical staff. This retrospective study was performed at the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Service of the School of Dentistry of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. This is the Oral Pathology reference center in the state of Minas Gerais, which capital is the city of Belo Horizonte
The Public Health System (PHS) of Belo Horizonte was the main requestor of exams in all years, accounting for 77.13% of the total of exams over the 10 years (Table 1, Figures 1 and 2)
Summary
Despite the professional and academic relevance of the Brazilian oral pathology diagnostic laboratories, no information about their usage profile is available in the English literature. The objective of the present study is to report data about the histopathological and immunohistochemical exams performed in a Brazilian regional reference laboratory of oral pathology, as well as its main users. The most important Dental Schools in Brazil maintain oral pathology diagnostic laboratories, as occur in other countries [1]. At the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, which is the main public University of the State, and one of the most important Universities in Brazil, the Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology was first established in 1966. S main work is to perform histopathological and cytological exams of lesions affecting oral and maxillofacial tissues.
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