Comparison of transepithelial cytology and histopathology in the diagnosis of potentially malignant and malignant lesions of the oral mucosa

Background/Aim: The objective of the study was to compare cytological diagnoses using transepithelial cytology (oral brush biopsy) with histopathological diagnoses obtained by incisional biopsy in patients with benign lesions, oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Material and Methods: The study included 57 patients. Brush biopsy was performed after local anaesthesia administration using the cervical brush. It was immediately followed by an incisional biopsy. Modified Bethesda System was used for cytological analysis and correlated with histopathological diagnoses according to intraepithelial neoplasia. Results: Good agreement was shown between cytological and histopathological diagnosis (kappa = 0.791). The sensitivity of the study was 92.85%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 100% and negative predictive value (NPV) 93.54%. Conclusions: Oral brush biopsy, which allows the collection of epithelial cells of all layers can provide fast, precise and efficient cytological results which are in good agreement with the 'gold standard' - incisional biopsy followed by histopathology.