Annual Audit Of Cases Received In Oral Pathology Laboratory Services

Abstract

Biopsies are often essential for the definitive diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial lesions and are an integral part of the diagnostic process in histopathology labs. Currently, there is a lack of research on auditing oral histopathology services. Case audits, which utilize data from patient records and laboratory information systems, analyze case volumes and diagnostic accuracy to correlate clinicopathological findings. This study aims to analyze the cases received by the oral pathology lab from January 1 to December 31, 2021, and to compare clinical aspects with histopathological examination findings. Data were retrieved and analyzed from all biopsy and cytology reports submitted to the oral pathology laboratory in 2021, different parameters were assessed. Among the total number of 701 cases reported in 2021. The following types of specimens were received: cytology 27(3.8%), incisional biopsy 399(57%), and excisional biopsy 275(39.2%). The male-to-female ratio was 2:1. The cases included referrals from oral and maxillofacial surgery (513 cases), private practices (76 cases), oncology (51 cases), and others (51 cases). The locations of the lesions were as follows: maxilla 288(40.9%), mandible 317 (45.1%), and both maxilla and mandible 96(13.7%). It also highlighted issues such as inadequate biopsy specimens, non-representative tissues, and insufficient documentation.