The smear technique has been used for rapid diagnosis of tumors removed in neurosurgeries in many neuropathological centers. In order to> assess the diagnostic accuracy of this technique, we examined 137 smears and made a cytohistological correlation. Our cases include 12 astrocytomas, 4 anaplastic astrocytomas, 26 glioblastomas, 7 oligodendrogliomas, 5 medulloblastomas, 8 schwannomas, 17 meningiomas, 13 pituitary adenomas, 20 metastatic tumors and 18 assorted tumors and non neoplastic lesions. The correct diagnosis was made in 91.2% of the cases which coincides to the literature. The knowledge of the localization and the characteristic morphologic features of some tumors were important for the diagnosis. The ability to recognize normal nervous tissue in smears was important even to help the surgeon to reach the tumor. We believe that the use of smears should be encouraged in our country in view of the simplicity of its preparation and accuracy of results.
intra-operative cytologic diagnosis; neurosurgeries; smear technique