Abstract
Background: Though fine needle aspiration cytology is the most routinely performed and widely accepted diagnostic procedure for an initial diagnosis in any swelling, we often come across difficulties in diagnosis, if the material obtained is hemorrhagic or fluid in nature. In such cases cell blocks can be prepared from the residual tissue fluids or the aspirated material. Cell blocks then be sectioned, stained and studied. Cell block study can be an useful adjunct to smears for establishing a more definitive cytopathologic diagnosis. Hence this study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of cell block
with FNAC and to compare the findings of cell block and FNAC with histopathology as gold standard. Methodology: The study was conducted in the department of Pathology at Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre. All the cystic/solid lesions sent for fine needle aspiration which yielded sufficient amount of material for the cell block were studied after taking a detailed clinical history. Results: Out of total 66 cases of FNAC and cell block, 35 cases were sent for histopathology. Mean age of the patients was 41.36 years and female patients were more in number (73%). Benign lesions (71.4%) were more than malignant ones (29.6%). Cell block section had more number of thyroid lesions (31%). The diagnostic accuracy of FNAC was found to be 94.28% while that of cell block was 97.14% Interpretation and Conclusion: Though FNAC is the first line of investigation for mass lesions, it has its disadvantages due to fluid and hemorrhagic aspirates. Cell
block provides an excellent complement with FNAC in diagnosis as the diagnostic accuracy increases when FNAC and cell block are combined.
Keywords: CB-Cell block; FNAC-Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology; Histopathology