The generation of cell blocks (CB) received from ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies (US-FNAB) is a well-established procedure in breast and thyroid pathology. However, it is rarely used in dermatology. 

The present study reviewed CBs obtained from US-FNAB of skin lesions, such as malignant/benign/inflammatory skin tumors or deposit skin diseases. It compared the diagnostic yield of each category to histopathology. 

• The study processed the US-FNAB of 51 skin lesions into CBs and found a general agreement between histopathology and CBs in 84.31% of cases.
• It found diagnostic group concordance for benign, malignant as well as inflammatory and deposit skin lesions as 69.2%, 93.7% and 86.3%, respectively. 

This study suggests considering CB generation from US-FNAB aspirates of skin lesions as a part of the dermatologic diagnostic armamentarium. The type and location of dermatological lesions for which it would be clearly indicated need further research.

Source: Laverde-Saad A, Nájera Botello L, Salgüero Fernandez I, et al. Cell blocks from ultrasound guided fine needle aspirates: diagnostic yield in a series of 51 dermatologic lesions. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2022 Nov 10:S0001-7310(22)00945-0. English, Spanish.