Table 4. Comparative features of SAM and LM cytology.

Cytological analysis		SAM	LM
Nucleus	Size	△	⊚
	Irregularity/groove	X	⊚
	Chromatin density	X	⊚
Cytoplasm	Size	⊚	○
	Border	⊚	○
	Content	⊚	○
	Irregularity	⊚	△
	Thickness	⊚	△
Cell connection		⊚	⊚
Group structure		⊚	⊚
Observation range	adjustability	⊚	X
Statistical analysis		⊚	○

SAM, scanning acoustic microscope; LM, light microscope; ⊚, excellent; ○, good; △, difficult; X, impossible.