Abstract
Introduction Central nervous system (CNS) tumors account for around 1 to 2% of all neoplasms,
commonest of them being gliomas. Gliomas constitute a large, heterogenous group of
tumors known for a wide variation in clinical presentation, gross and microscopic
features, and biologic behavior. Squash cytology can be a great asset in the intraoperative
diagnosis of CNS pathology. In this article, we correlate it with the histopathology
of gliomas.
Methods A prospective analytical study was conducted at the Department of Neuropathology,
Super-Speciality Hospital, NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur, India. A total of 75 samples
were collected for intraoperative squash cytology. The biopsy samples were collected
subsequently after surgery for histopathological correlation. Statistical analysis
was done using SPSS software to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic
accuracy of squash cytology.
Results Of the total 75 patients clinically and radiologically suspected of having gliomas,
43 (57.33%) were males to give a male-to-female ratio of 1.34:1. The mean age at presentation
was 36.50 ± 16.87 years. Right-sided tumors were more common. The most common location
was the frontal lobe (46.66%). Concordance with squash cytology was found in 81.33%
of cases. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of squash cytology in
the diagnosis of gliomas were found to be 98.61, 66.66, and 97.33%, respectively.
Conclusion Squash cytology is a rapid, inexpensive, and accurate diagnostic method for intraoperative
diagnosis of gliomas that can guide the surgeon on the extent of tumor resection.
Keywords
glioma - cytology - histopathology - intraoperative - squash
