The histological accuracy of the smear technique for neurosurgical biopsies

TLDR

Smear preparation from neurosurgical biopsy material enables rapid diagnosis, especially for small soft tissue obtained by needle biopsy. The study reviewed 190 consecutive smear biopsies and compared them with subsequent paraffin sections of the same specimens. Correct diagnoses were achieved in 94 % of cases, with most errors arising from distinguishing malignant tumor types, supporting the smear technique as the most suitable method for rapid neurosurgical diagnosis.

Abstract

✓ The preparation of smears from neurosurgical biopsy material is one technique by which a rapid diagnosis may be made available to the neurosurgeon. This technique is particularly appropriate for the small soft pieces of tissue obtained by needle biopsy. The 190 consecutive smear biopsies examined in this Institute during 1971 were reviewed and compared with subsequent paraffin sections of the same biopsies. In 94% of cases the correct diagnosis was obtained from the smears. Most of the errors stemmed from failure to distinguish between different types of malignant tumor. It is suggested that the smear technique is the most appropriate available for rapid neurosurgical diagnosis.