Misinterpretation of normal cellular elements in fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens: observations from the College of American Pathologists Interlaboratory Comparison Program in Non-Gynecologic Cytopathology. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • CONTEXT: The College of American Pathologists Interlaboratory Comparison Program in Non-Gynecologic Cytopathology is a popular educational program for nongynecologic cytology, with 1018 participating laboratories by the end of 2000. Data generated from this program allow tracking pathologist performance in a wide variety of laboratory practices. OBJECTIVE: To review performance of participating pathologists in making patient diagnoses with fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens, with particular interest in the false neoplastic diagnoses (both benign and malignant neoplasms) that were submitted for benign aspirates containing only normal cellular components. DESIGN: We reviewed the diagnoses made from 1998 through 2000 by participating pathologists through the use of glass slides containing benign fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and salivary gland that contained only normal cellular components. RESULTS: The false neoplastic rate for kidney (60%) was the highest, followed by liver (37%), pancreas (10%), and salivary gland (6%). These rates are much higher than what has previously been reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates that normal cellular elements are a significant pitfall for overinterpretation of fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens.

publication date

  • June 1, 2002

Research

keywords

  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Kidney
  • Liver
  • Pancreas
  • Salivary Glands

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0036273318

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.5858/2002-126-0670-MONCEI

PubMed ID

  • 12033954

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 126

issue

  • 6