Histo-cytological Correlation of Oral Premalignant and Malignant Lesion in Specimens from Toluidine Blue Stained Buccal Mucosa

Objective behind the study was to assess the efficacy of Toluidine Blue (TB) mouth rinse in the detection of neoplasia in oral cavity and to evaluate its usefulness in high risk groups. Correlation of the results of scrape cytology smear and histopathology of biopsy taken from the TB stained area was also done. This prospective study was carried out on 85 cases of suspected oral lesions. Complete clinical evaluation and all necessary investigations of patients were performed, local examination by visual inspection followed by toluidine blue staining as mouth rinse was done. Toluidine blue stained area were subjected to scrape cytology by using cytobrush and punch biopsy. Cytology smear were stained by papaniculoau stain and classified according to the 2001 Bethesda system for reporting cervical cytology. Biopsy specimen were stained by haematoxylin and eosin and classified according to WHO classification of tumors of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Sensitivity of toluidine blue staining found to be 92.4% and specificity of toluidine staining found to be 83%. Toluidine blue gives knowledge about lesion margins, helps the decision to biopsy, guide biopsy site of oral premalignant and malignant lesions. Toluidine blue used in addition to clinical examination increased efficacy in detecting premalignant and malignant lesions.