Publication:

The pattern of urine cytology in a tertiary health care facility Northwest Nigeria

Background Urine cytology is an important investigation in the management of urothelial cancer. It is particularly an important test in the management of urinary tract cancers because of its non-invasive nature. Objective of study to review our practice of urine cytology as a diagnostic tool in the management of urinary tract pathology.

Methods A seventeen years retrospective study from 1st January, 2001 to 31st December, 2017 where records of patients who had urine cytology in Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria were reviewed and data was extracted and analyzed using the SPSS 20.

Results Of the 766 specimens, representing 10.1% of all cytology done in UDUTH (7,554) during the period under review, the highest number of urine cytology was done in 2013 (12%). The age range of the patients was between 2 to 90 years with modal age of 60 years. Majority of the patients were between the ages of 51 to 60 years (24.7%) and male to female ratio was 6.3:1. The commonest indication for urine cytology was bladder tumour (66.8%). However, the commonest cytological diagnosis was negative (44.6%) while 19.3% showed Non Specific Chronic Inflammation and only 77 specimens were malignant representing 10.1% of the specimen.

Conclusions Despite its variable sensitivity, urine cytology remains a useful tool in evaluating suspected bladder malignancies and can serve as an adjunct to cystoscopy in these cases.