Abstract
Objective: Sputum cytology is a valuable diagnostic tool which under underutilized in our clinical practice. The aim of this study is to report our experience utilizing this tool to diagnose various respiratory disorders and to report the utility and accuracy of this procedure in our institute. Design: A retrospective analysis of all sputum smears from Jan 1995 to December 2010. Settings: The Department of Pathology at King Abdulaziz University hospital Jeddah, Western region of Saudi Arabia. Subjects and Methods: All sputum cytology samples received at the Department of Pathology were reviewed. Interventions: Cytology smears, clinical history and surgical follow-ups were reviewed. Main Outcome measures: The data was analyzed to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Results: A total of 191 cases of sputum cytology were examined during this period and only 38 (20%) patients had a subsequent follow up biopsies. Cytology diagnosis was categorized (reporting system of our laboratory) as atypical in 4 cases, malignant in 5 cases, inflammatory in 17 cases, insufficient in 21 cases, and negative in 144 patients. The subsequent histological follow-up in 38 cases was categorized as malignant in 21cases, inflammatory /benign in 12 cases and negative in 5 cases. Cross-tabulating the cytology with surgical follow-up revealed 3 true-positive, one false-positive, 16 true-negative, and 15 false-negative cases. Conclusion: Sputum cytology showed high specificity (94%) and positive-predictive value (75%) and low sensitivity (16.7%) and a negative-predictive value (52%). The low sensitivity limited the sputum-cytology as a screening tool. But in patients suspected of having malignant lesions the high specificity of this tool can be utilized to get diagnosis before proceeding to invasive procedures. [Awatif Jamal and Ibrahim Mansoor. Sputum Cytology - An Underutilized Diagnostic Tool: A Single Institute Experience. Life Sci J 2012; 9(2): 681-685]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 102