A study of squash smear cytology in the diagnosis of non-glial lesions in GMKMCH, Salem

Squash cytology is a rapid, inexpensive and accurate method of diagnosing intracranial lesions. Glial tumors are the most commonly encountered lesions whereas the Non-Glial lesions remain to be less explored. The distribution and detailed study of cyto-morphological features of Non-Glial lesions will lead to better diagnostic conclusions and effective managements. To analyze the distribution of Non-glial lesions using Squash cytology and to emphasize the potential of CNS smears in accurate diagnosis of Non-glial lesions. This was a retrospective study conducted over a period of one year from November 2019 to November 2021 in 30 cases. Samples of Non-glial lesions obtained from the Department of Neurosurgery were studied using Squash cytology method and confirmed with histopathology. : Out of the 30 cases studied, 2 cases were of non-neoplastic inflammatory lesions, 2 of them were cystic lesion, 19 cases were benign, 3 were malignant lesions and 4 cases were of metastatic origin. Meningioma was the most common benign tumor. Pediatric patients had more number of small blue round cell tumors. Meningioma is the most common Non-glial tumor, followed by schwannoma. Metastasis is seen in elderly patients and pediatric cases presented with small round blue cell tumors. Squash cytology has a highly significant positive correlation with final histopathological diagnosis.