Efficacy of Oral Brush Biopsy without Computer-Assisted Analysis in Oral Premalignant and Malignant Lesions: A Study

BACKGROUND: In the present study, the reliability of oral brush biopsy in identifying dysplasia in clinically diagnosed oral potentially malignant and malignant lesions was evaluated while comparing the findings with scalpel biopsy in terms of sensitivity and specificity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, a total number of 50 patients that included both premalignant and malignant lesions were included. Oral brush cytology using a cytobrush was done for all patients, which was followed by incisional biopsy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were obtained. To see the agreement between two modalities Kappa test of agreement was applied. A P < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Proportions were compared using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. RESULTS: Brush cytology using a cytobrush is a reliable adjunct to histopathology in detecting oral premalignant and malignant oral lesions and can be easily performed with less cost and less discomfort. This technique showed a reasonable sensitivity and specificity thus substantiating its reliability in evaluation of oral premalignant and malignant lesions. CONCLUSION: The oral brush biopsy is a simple and rapid, non-invasive and relatively painless and well accepted by patient. It is suitable in population screening programs and for pre- and post-treatment observation of confirmed premalignant and malignant lesions and has proved applications in incapacitated areas.