Non-exfoliative canine cytology: the value of fine needle aspiration and scraping cytology

The results of the cytological and histological examination of 348 canine lesions, localised in various organs, were compared with respect to the tumourous or non-tumour nature of the lesions and the malignancy or benignancy of tumours. The retrieval rate was 92.5%. Regarding the distinction between tumourous and non-tumourous lesions, the cytological examination showed a diagnostic accuracy of 83.9%, a sensitivity of 95.6%, a specificity of 65.4% and a predictive value for the presence of tumour of 93.5%. The diagnostic accuracy of cytology concerning the differentiation in malignancy and benignancy of the neoplasms was 83.7%, with a sensitivity of 86.8%, a specificity of 79.4% and a predictive value for the presence of malignant tumour of 85.6%. These results confirm the value of non-exfoliative cytology as a diagnostic method, providing rapid and valuable information with regard to diagnosis and prognosis and, consequently, for therapeutic handling. An eventual histological diagnosis remains indicated, especially in case of soft-tissue and mammary lesions.