Evaluation of a Novel Technique of Frozen Sections of Cell Blocks and Immunocytochemistry Protocol for Fine Needle Aspirates and Fluid Cytology Specimens

Abstract

Aim and objectives: Turnaround time is the main issue for formalin fixed-paraffin embedded-cell block diagnosis. The main objectives of this study were to develop fast and simple method of cell blocks preparation using frozen section technique, to develop a protocol of immunocytochemistry (ICC) on them and to evaluate its utility in clinical practice. Material and method: In this case series, we made frozen cell blocks (F-CB) from fine needle aspirates (FNA) and fluid samples using cryostat and performed ICC on them. Results were compared with histopathology diagnosis using Cohen’s Kappa agreement and Fisher Exact test. Results: Out of 25 cases, F-CB from FNA and fluid samples were made in 15 and 10 cases, respectively. ICC was performed on 20 cases. Only 40% of the cases had confirmed diagnosis on cytology smears. Addition of F-CB + ICC test could give a definitive diagnosis in 24/25 (96%) of cases. Conclusions: Newly developed method of frozen sectioning of cellblocks and ICC on them can give rapid and accurate cell block diagnosis.