Comparing Sensitivity and Specificity of Liquid-Based and Conventional Cytology Smears in Fine Needle Aspirates for Diagnosis of Breast Mass

This study aimed to compare the cytology results obtained by the conventional smear method with those obtained by the liquid-based method for the diagnosis of palpable breast masses in women referred to the clinic of Shahid Mohammadi Hospital in Bandar Abbas city. Methods: The research method was descriptive–cross-sectional. The research sample was selected based on purposive and availability sampling. Accordingly, 67 patients referred to the surgical clinic of Shahid Mohammadi Hospital in 2019-2020 were evaluated. The diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of conventional smear method and liquidbased method were compared. Results: The diagnostic sensitivity of the conventional smear method was 88.4%, specificity 94.9%, positive predictive value 92%, and negative predictive value 92.5%. The diagnostic sensitivity of the liquid-based method was 84%, specificity 90%, positive predictive value 80.7%, and negative predictive value 90%. Conclusion: Liquid-based method is better than conventional smear because of the ease of processing, faster screening, and preservation of cells and nuclear details. And it can be a promising and reliable method to diagnose palpable breast masses before surgery. Keywors: FineNeedle Aspiraton, ConventionalSmear Method, LiquidBased Cytology Method, Breast Mass 33 D ow nl oa de d fr om ij bd .ir a t 3 :4 5 + 04 30 o n S at ur da y A pr il 17 th 2 02 1 [ D O I: 10 .3 06 99 /ij bd .1 3. 4. 33 ]