Schnellschnittdiagnostik bei Erkrankungen des weiblichen Genitaltrakts

Intraoperative frozen sections are particularly important for ovarian tumors because definitive preoperative histology is not possible. The diagnostic accuracy of frozen sections is highest for primary invasive ovarian carcinomas and benign ovarian lesions, followed by borderline tumors and poorest for ovarian metastases and rare neoplasms, such as germ cell tumors. Endometrial carcinoma should be diagnosed preoperatively by curettage or biopsy. For endometrioid endometrial carcinomas the indications for lymphadenectomy are often based on intraoperative assessment of the uterus. The differential diagnosis of low grade stromal neoplasms is based on myometrial invasion and can be supported by assessment of frozen sections as well as the diagnosis of other mesenchymal uterine tumors suspected of being malignant. Frozen sections of pelvic lymph nodes provide the possibility of immediate subsequent para-aortic lymphadenectomy in endometrial and cervical carcinomas but have recently lost importance. Sentinel node biopsy with intraoperative frozen section analysis is routinely performed only for vulval carcinoma. The German Association of Gynecological Oncology (AGO) recommends deferred diagnosis and a two stage surgical procedure for any doubtful intraoperative ovarian histology. Intraoperative frozen sections for endometrial carcinoma and lymphadenectomy specimens as well as for sentinel node biopsies are currently not recommended but are also not completely rejected.     

Schnellschnittdiagnostik in der Viszeralchirurgie

Intraoperative examination of specimens from the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreas are widely used in routine fresh frozen section diagnostics. The main clinical requests focus on diagnosis of masses of unknown dignity as well as evaluation of surgical margins in oncological resections. In addition, assessment of organ quality for transplantation is also often required.     

Schnellschnittdiagnostik in der Viszeralchirurgie

A close collaboration between clinicians and pathologists is essential for establishing an optimal therapeutic concept concerning disorders of the stomach and intestines. Intraoperative frozen sections form part of this cooperation in order to obtain an intraoperative diagnosis or to clarify unclear findings and to be able to adapt operative procedures accordingly. For avoiding mistakes, knowledge of indications as well as limitations of intraoperative frozen sections of the stomach and intestines is mandatory. The same objective is pursued by establishing an unhindered flow of information.     

Schnellschnittdiagnostik in der Osteopathologie

Bone tumors are very rare and this is the reason why frozen section diagnosis is often difficult. The orthopedic surgeon wants to know the intraoperative diagnosis of biopsies of benign or malignant bone tumors so that definitive treatment can be carried out immediately in cases of diagnostic certainty. Diagnostic problems not only concern the distinction of benign and malignant tumors but also differentiation of a neoplastic from a reactive process. Clinical information is very important and all patients with bone tumors are discussed before surgical treatment in an interdisciplinary tumor board. Internationally but with the exception of the USA, the diagnostic procedure using frozen sections is not commonly used even in specialized centers.     

Intraoperative echocardiography

Combined echocardiography (uni- and two-dimensional, and Doppler) was used during surgery on an open heart. Technological aspects of such examinations are discussed. A method for tricuspid valve annuloplasty is suggested, monitored and regulated by echocardiography on an open heart. Such monitoring will help assess the efficacy of valve-preserving surgery.     

Intraoperative cytology of tumors

A quick staining method is described that permits a full cytologic statement on the seriousness of lesions within 3 min intraoperatively. The accuracy of this method of diagnosis and cytodiagnosis of benign and malignant tumors can be compared with histological examinations. The principal advantage is the speed compared with a cytologic fast-cut during operation. Moreover, the preparation or slide is of higher durability; the color and staining response have not faded for 10 yr, so far.     

Intraoperative Gefrierschnittdiagnostik von Kopf-Hals-Tumoren

Intraoperative consultation (synonym: frozen section diagnostics) has increasingly gained significance for the daily practice in head and neck surgery. The main aim of this investigation method which is usually associated with much stress and effort is to facilitate an optimal and timely oncological surgical treatment of neoplastic diseases with a minimum rate of postoperative functional disturbance. In order to achieve this purpose pathologists are expected to deliver as much correct information as possible to accurately influence intraoperative surgical decisions. At the same time this aim should be reached without significantly and unnecessarily increasing the workload for the pathology laboratory and without significantly inducing tissue artifacts. This would otherwise negatively influence the tissue quality for permanent section examination and consequently the overall quality of diagnosis and tumor staging. Thus, the quality and efficacy of frozen sections span a spectrum with the highest quality having the least possible false negative rate on the one hand and a false positive result of approximately zero on the other hand. Sticking to this approach would result in a high positive impact on the surgical treatment of a variety of neoplastic diseases and help to minimize or even eliminate the rate of medicolegal consequences.     

Intraoperative consultation in gynecologic pathology

Intraoperative consultation is widely used in gynecologic surgical practice to make intraoperative diagnosis, primarily to aid the surgeon to plan the extent of surgery. This article reviews the indications, performance and interpretation, accuracy and diagnostic pitfalls in the three major areas of gynecologic malignancies where intraoperative consultations are most frequently requested: ovarian masses, endometrial carcinoma and carcinoma of the cervix. For ovarian masses intraoperative consultation is usually requested either for histologic confirmation of malignant or borderline primary ovarian tumors before proceeding with radical surgery, or to rule out malignancy at the time of surgery for presumed benign disease. The diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma is usually made preoperatively before definitive surgical treatment. Thus, intraoperative consultation is most often used to identify the subgroup of patients with features of high risk disease who have an increased risk of metastases and who will benefit from formal surgical staging. In cases of carcinoma of the cervix frozen section is most commonly used to estimate the extent of spread of known invasive carcinoma at the time of radical surgery. Despite its restrictions, frozen section diagnosis is an important and reliable tool in the clinical management of patients with ovarian, endometrial and cervical tumors. The specificity of the method in experienced hands is high, the sensitivity is sufficient. The diagnosis of borderline ovarian tumors may be troublesome however, mainly due to their heterogeneity in appearance, especially in the case of large tumors of mucinous histologic type. It is important for pathologists to have a clear idea of the role and limitations of frozen section diagnosis in gynecological surgery in order to play a meaningful and optimal role in the management of the gynecologic oncology patient.     

Intraoperative telediagnosis of breast biopsies

Intraoperative real-time telediagnosis from cryostat sections of the breast can increase the quality of postmortem diagnosis. Moreover, the average accuracy of histological diagnosis was as high as 93.5% or increased by 4.4% as compared with traditional microscopy. According to the nature of the pathological process, this increase reached 86.7% (by 5.4%) for nontumor pathology and 95.9 (by 5.1%) and 95.8% (by 1.9%) for benign and malignant neoplasms, respectively. Intraoperative telediagnosis was most effective in a rare breast pathology that presented difficulties in the use of traditional microscopy, by calling for discussion of the histological pattern and colleagues' consultative support.     

Intraoperative application of transesophageal echocardiography

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become a routine monitor in the operating room for cardiac surgery because it provides instantaneous and continuous assessment of cardiac function and anatomy. TEE aids intraoperative management and improves outcome in patients undergoing cardiac valve repairs, complex congenital heart corrections, and high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Especially in mitral valve repair surgery, it is mandatory to evaluate the results of the surgical procedure after cardiopulmonary bypass during surgery. Multiple investigations have also documented the improved sensitivity of TEE for the detection of myocardial ischemia compared with ECG or pulmonary capillary wedge pressure measurements. Intraoperative TEE is, however, not without risks, so emerging evidence demonstrating the utility of TEE as a diagnostic monitor or to alter the management of patients is required, especially in non-cardiac surgery. TEE is less frequently used in non-cardiac surgery; however, the emergent use of intraoperative or perioperative TEE to determine the cause of an acute, persistent, and life-threatening hemodynamic abnormality is well indicated. A task force of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists developed guidelines for the appropriate use of TEE, which were evidence-based and focused on the effectiveness of perioperative TEE in improving clinical outcomes. Compliance with the guidelines for basic intraoperative TEE resulted in a marked improvement in intraoperative TEE practice. Technical progress of echocardiographic equipment and the TEE probe will increase the application of intraoperative and perioperative TEE in the future.     

Intraoperative cytology of breast lesions

Evaluation of intraoperative cytology and frozen sections for breast lesions is essential to single-stage and cost effective management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and the potential role of intraoperative cytology. The results of the study undertaken at the René Huguenin Center and the data of the literature suggest that intraoperative cytology may be helpful in some cases, especially as an adjunct to frozen sections. If frozen sections could be avoided any time clear features of benignity or malignancy are offered by both clinical data and macroscopic and cytologic examination, this approach does have limitations. Intraoperative cytology should not be used as an alternative to frozen sections except, in a few cases, when technical conditions required for them are not available or suitable. It can also constitute a good way for continuous education of our cytotechnologists.     

Intraoperative cytology of osseous lesions

Cytologic preparations were made from 53 biopsies of osseous and related lesions submitted for intraoperative diagnosis. Smears made by scraping the surface of the lesion and spreading the material obtained on a glass slide were most commonly used. These preparations were found to be valuable adjuncts to frozen sections because cytologic details were so much more clearly visible. Among specific diagnostic features found to be particularly helpful were the large numbers of nuclei found in most of the multinucleated cells from giant-cell tumors but in few osteoclasts from other lesions; the metachromatic staining of osteoid in air-dried, Romanowsky-stained smears from osteosarcomas; and the ease with which multinucleated cells can be identified in smears from chondrosarcomas. The characteristic appearance of chondroblasts from a chondroblastoma; the distinctive appearances of osteoclasts and multinucleated histiocytes from eosinophilic granulomas; the unique appearance of synovial cells from pigmented synovitis; and the ease with which small cells of a metastatic carcinoma could be distinguished from hematopoietic bone-marrow cells were other significant findings. These and other features of the lesions encountered are presented in greater detail.     

Intraoperative dynamic dosimetry for prostate implants

This paper describes analytic tools in support of a paradigm shift in brachytherapy treatment planning for prostate cancer--a shift from standard pre-planning to intraoperative planning using dosimetric feedback based on the actual deposited seed positions within the prostate. The method proposed is guided by several desiderata: (a) bringing both planning and evaluation in the operating room (i.e. make post-implant evaluation superfluous) therefore making rectifications--if necessary--still achievable; (b) making planning and implant evaluation consistent by using the same imaging system (ultrasound); and (c) using only equipment commonly found in a hospital operating room. The intraoperative dosimetric evaluation is based on the fusion between ultrasound images and 3D seed coordinates reconstructed from fluoroscopic projections. Automatic seed detection and registration of the fluoroscopic and ultrasound information, two of the three key ingredients needed for the intraoperative dynamic dosimetry optimization (IDDO), are explained in detail. The third one, the reconstruction of 3D coordinates from projections, was reported in a previous article. The algorithms were validated using a custom-designed phantom with non-radioactive (dummy) seeds. Also, fluoroscopic images were taken at the conclusion of an actual permanent prostate implant and compared with data on the same patient obtained from radiographic-based post-implant evaluation. To offset the effect of organ motion the comparison was performed in terms of the proximity function of the two seed distributions. The agreement between the intra- and post-operative seed distributions was excellent.     

Intraoperative pathologische Sofortuntersuchung in der Mammachirurgie

In breast surgery intraoperative frozen sections for the diagnosis of malignancy has lost impact and has largely been replaced by preoperative core needle biopsies. Nevertheless, there is still need for immediate pathological investigation of native breast tissue during surgery due to three reasons: (1) macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of resection margins, (2) the histological analysis of sentinel lymph nodes in order to circumvent secondary axillary surgery and (3) the preparation of native tissue for tumor banking or measurement of biomarkers. Because histology provides only a facultative component of immediate pathological examination of breast specimens during surgery, the term frozen section does not seem to be appropriate anymore. Intraoperative evaluation of resection specimens by pathologists provides surgically relevant information immediately, guarantees standardized preparation and fixation of specimens and enables tissue banking of native tissue for assessment of biological markers.