@article{MAKHILLRJMS2024181131803,
    title = {Utility of Intra‐Operative Sentinel Lymph Node Imprint Cytology in Breast Cancer Patients: A Tertiary Centre Study in Tamil Nadu},
    journal = {Research Journal of Medical Sciences},
    volume = {18},
    number = {11},
    pages = {843-846},
    year = {2024},
    issn = {1815-9346},
    doi = {makrjms.2024.11.843.846},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1815-9346&doi=makrjms.2024.11.843.846},
    author = {S.,G. and},
    keywords = {Breast cancer, sentinel lymph node, imprint cytology, intra‐operative diagnosis, axillary staging},
    abstract = {Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in India,
with increasing incidence and a significant number of cases diagnosed at
advanced stages. Accurate axillary staging is essential for prognosis and
treatment planning. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a common
approach for staging axillary lymph nodes in early breast cancer.
Intra‐operative imprint cytology (IC) offers a rapid, cost‐effective method
for detecting sentinel node metastases, facilitating real‐time surgical
decision‐making. To evaluate the diagnostic utility of intra‐operative
sentinel lymph node imprint cytology in breast cancer patients
undergoing surgery in a tertiary care center in Tamil Nadu. Out of 100
patients, 38 showed metastatic involvement on final histopathology.
Imprint cytology correctly identified 32 of these, yielding a sensitivity of
84.2%, specificity of 93.5%, PPV of 88.9%, NPV of 90.6%, and an overall
diagnostic accuracy of 90%. False negatives were primarily due to
micrometastases. Intra‐operative imprint cytology is a reliable and
cost‐effective technique for sentinel lymph node evaluation in breast
cancer, offering high specificity and acceptable sensitivity. It is especially
useful in settings where frozen section analysis is not readily available,
thus helping to guide immediate intra‐operative decisions and avoid
second surgeries.}
    }