Anatomic Pathology / CYTOHISTOLOGIC DISCREPANCIES Cytohistologic Discrepancies A Means to Improve Pathology Practice and Patient Outcomes

The use of cytohistologic discrepancies to investigate and reduce error seldom is studied. All gynecologic discrepancies (n = 283; 0.87 % and 7.37% of all cytologic and histologic cases, respectively) and nongynecologic discrepancies (n = 146; 2.26 % and 0.44 % of all cytologic and histologic cases, respectively) for 26 months were classified as sampling or interpretive. Specimen type and pathologist discrepancy percentages, effect of discrepancies on patient outcome, and interobserver agreement of discrepancies were evaluated. Discrepancies were interpretive in 67 % and 34 % of gynecologic and nongynecologic cases, respectively. Statistically significant associations were seen between individual pathologist and discrepancy percentages. Breast (1.2%