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Role of Intraoperative Imprint Cytology of Axillary Sentinel Lymph Nodes

SUMMARY Objective: Sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) predict the axillary status. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of intraoperative imprint cytology (IIC) in comparison with definitive histopathology (PH) of SLNs in early breast carcinoma patients. Methods: A total of 79 SLNs from 63 patients were identified by technetium-labelled sulphur colloid and blue dye. SLNs were evaluated by slicing them into 2 mm sections. Imprints were made of each cut surface, stained with Hemacolor and examined by cytologist. Results: PH revealed metastases in 20/79 SLNs in 17/63 patients. IIC had sensitivity of 64.7% per patient and 70% per SLN basis. All 6 “ false-negative” cases were due to micrometastases. Specificity of IIC was 94.9% per SLN and 93.5% per patient basis. Conclusion: IIC of SLN is a quick and accurate method for detecting metastases, especially macrometastases of breast carcinoma in SLNs and may allow lymphadenectomy on a selective basis.

breast; carcinoma; imprint cytology; sentinel lymph node

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