The advantages of intraoperative cytology. Analysis of 215 smears and review of the literature.

A two-year experience with intraoperative cytology was evaluated, and the pertinent literature was reviewed. During that period, cytology smears (imprints, scrapings or aspirates, depending on the sample) were prepared from 215 consecutive specimens submitted for diagnosis. A discrepancy between the cytologic, the frozen section and the final diagnoses was noted in only two instances; in both cases, the frozen section interpretation was also difficult. This series and previous studies demonstrate the high accuracy of intraoperative cytology and emphasize its advantages as a rapid and reliable diagnostic method in the frozen section room. The technique may be used to augment or, in some instances, supplant the standard frozen section analysis. In addition to the routine stains used for cytomorphologic evaluation, the smears prepared can be used for special histochemical and immunohistochemical studies.