Utilization of Dynamic Telecytopathology for Rapid Onsite Evaluation of Touch Imprint Cytology of Needle Core Biopsy: Diagnostic Accuracy and Pitfalls.

Abstract

Background: In the era of personalized medicine, there has been an increase in demand on cytopathology service to perform rapid onsite evaluation of touch imprints (ROSETIs) of needle core biopsies (NCBs) to ensure sample adequacy and provide preliminary diagnosis. Limited publications have addressed use of telecytopathology for ROSETIs. We present our experience with telecytopathology-guided ROSETIs of NCBs. Materials and Methods: Cytotechnologist onsite transmitted real-time images of Diff-QUIK stained touch imprints of NCBs using an Olympus digital camera through Ethernet to a pathologist. The preliminary diagnosis from telecytopathology-guided ROSETIs was compared with that of the final NCB for diagnostic accuracy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. Results: Of 186 cases, 163 (87%) were concordant and 23 (13%) were discordant. Of the 23 discordant cases, 14 (58%) were diagnosed as benign with final NCB diagnoses as malignant and 9 (41%) were suspicious on ROSETIs with final NCB diagnoses as benign. The causes of discordance among cases categorized as benign on preliminary and malignant on final included interpretative error (9) and sampling (6). Six cases categorized as suspicious on preliminary and negative on final biopsy diagnosis correlated with concurrent fine-needle aspiration, raising the possibility of loss of diagnostic areas in processed tissue cores. Remaining three cases in this category represented misinterpretation of reactive cells. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 87.9%, 95.7%, 97.1%, and 82.7%, respectively. Conclusions: Telecytopathology-guided ROSETI yields high accuracy for preliminary interpretation of NCBs and may be utilized as an effective substitute for conventional microscopy.