Open AccessApplication of Transepithelial Brush Biopsy for Oral Mucosal Lesions
Author(s) -
Seltzer Paul,
Loewenstein Ronald K.,
Carroll Deborah J.,
Buechler R. Bruce
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599811415823a38
Subject(s) - medicine , biopsy , brush , dysplasia , pathology , radiology , engineering , electrical engineering
Objective For cases with suspicious lesions in the oral cavity, this study presents an understanding and evaluation of the clinically relevant information that can be provided from oral mucosal brush biopsy in making treatment plan decisions. Method Between 2008 and 2010, patients with suspicious lesions were evaluated with an oral mucosal brush biopsy prior to making treatment plans. Decision tree analysis was performed, and clinical relevancy of the information was provided by the pathologist. Clinical interventions with the oral cytology findings were correlated. Results During the evaluation period, 38 patients used the test. The oral mucosal brush biopsy provided the following clinically relevant information: 31% contained dysplasia or abnormal cells, 2% fungal organisms, 33% inflammation, 33% no cellular abnormality, and 1% other findings. In cases where inflammation was identified in conjunction with absence of abnormal or dysplastic cells, patients were placed on an observation protocol. In cases where the brush biopsy showed abnormal cells, the patient was scheduled for a surgical biopsy. A decision tree will be presented. Conclusion An oral mucosal brush biopsy can provide clinically relevant information about lesions prior to treatment decisions. The information provided from brush biopsy can be used as one of the factors considered with other clinical information to assist doctors in making definitive selections in a clinical management plan.