Detection by impression cytologic analysis of conjunctival intraepithelial invasion from eyelid sebaceous cell carcinoma

Objective: To demonstrate that conjunctival impression cytologic analysis can detect conjunctival intraepithelial invasion from sebaceous cell carcinoma of the eyelid. Design: Observational case series with cytopathologic correlation. Participants: Four patients with unilateral blepharoconjunctivitis and biopsy-proven sebaceous cell carcinoma. Methods: Impression cytologic analysis specimens were taken from the suspicious area of the bulbar conjunctiva of each patient. Staining of the specimens was performed with a modified Papanicolaou stain. Main Outcome Measure: Observation of the abnormal tumor cells in the collected specimens by bright field microscope. Results: The technique of impression cytologic analysis allowed collection and identification of abnormal tumor cells with characteristic cytoplasmic vacuoles. Conclusions: Conjunctival impression cytologic analysis successfully detected the ocular surface sebaceous carcinoma cell,from the eyelid. However, full-thickness biopsies are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Judicious use of impression cytologic analysis may facilitate the detection and diagnosis of this invasive tumor. (C) 2003 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.