Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Intraoperative frozen section plays an important role in the management of surgical patients with neoplastic and non‐neoplastic diseases as it guides the surgeon to make decisions on the extent and/or adequacy of surgical procedures, thus decreasing the need for re operation. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative frozen section in comparison to the gold standard routine paraffin section. The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of frozen section diagnosis in various anatomical sites. This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre. A total of 190 cases from various anatomical sites sent for frozen section analysis between January 2018 and December 2019 were considered. The frozen section and paraffin section diagnoses were concordant in 187 (98.4%) and discordant in 3 (1.6%) cases. The discordant cases reported were due to misinterpretation. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of frozen sections in comparison with routine paraffin sections were 98.4%, 95.5% %, 99.3%, 97.7% and 98.6%, respectively. These values suggest a high level of reliability and accuracy in using frozen section diagnosis for identifying various pathologies. The intraoperative frozen section is accurate with high sensitivity and specificity. It should always be used when the preoperative diagnosis is not definite, as it provides reliable rapid intraoperative diagnosis, which will guide the surgeon in determining the type and extent of surgery to avoid undertreatment or over treatment of the patient. By avoiding technical errors in sectioning and staining and with better communication between pathologist and surgeon, the rate of discordant cases can be reduced.
How to cite this article:
Safina Taskeen, V. Shashikala, R.K. Radha and M. Manikya. The Diagnostic Accuracy of Intraoperative Frozen Section to Routine Paraffin Section: A Comparative Study.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2025.1.370.373
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2025.1.370.373