Increase of core biopsies in visceral organs--experience at one institution.

All targeted core biopsies in the surgical pathology file and all cytology specimens from liver, lung, kidney, and pancreas accessioned in 1997, 2002, and 2007 in the Pathology Department at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, were culled. Cytology specimen type [touch imprint smear (TIS) from core-only, fine-needle aspiration (FNA)-only, or both] was determined. Seven hundred and fifty-eight targeted core biopsies were identified from the years 1997 (162), 2002 (249), and 2007 (347). Eight hundred and seventy-eight cytology specimens from the years 1997 (127), 2002 (264), and 2007 (487) were included. The overall percentage of TIS-only of all cytology specimens increased from 5.5 to 31% in 10 years and most prominently in the liver (14% in 1997 to 87% in 2007). In spite of the increasing use of core biopsies, the volume of cytology specimens from these organs increased from 127 in 1997 to 487 in 2007.