HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stewart, C J R Articles by Stewart, I S Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Stewart, C J R Articles by Stewart, I S

Comparison of fine needle aspiration cytology and needle core biopsy in the diagnosis of radiologically detected abdominal lesions

¹ Department of Pathology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G42 9TY, UK
² Department of Radiology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary

Correspondence to:
Dr C Stewart, Department of Pathology, The Victoria Infirmary, Langside Road, Glasgow G42 9TY, UK; Aims: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of percutaneous fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology and needle core biopsy (NCB) in the diagnosis of suspected intra-abdominal tumours.

Methods: One hundred and forty one consecutive patients who underwent radiologically guided combined FNA/NCB of abdominal lesions over a four year period were reviewed. The diagnostic accuracy of both techniques and the value of rapid staining and assessment of cytological preparations were assessed.

Results: FNA cytology and NCB identified 111 of 129 (86%) and 104 of 129 (80.6%) malignant lesions, respectively; in combination, the sensitivity increased to 90.7%. The diagnostic specificity was 100% for both methods, although one case of phaeochromocytoma was misinterpreted as undifferentiated carcinoma on biopsy. More accurate tumour subtying was possible in two cases with FNA and four cases on NCB. The series included 12 benign lesions, of which 11 and nine were accurately identified on FNA and NCB, respectively. Two specific benign diagnoses (Budd-Chiari syndrome and hepatic infarct) were made only on biopsy. The use of rapid assessment cytology preparations ensured that appropriate samples were submitted for microbiology in three liver abscesses, and provided an accurate cytological diagnosis at the time of the procedure in 103 of 141 (73%) cases. None of the patients suffered biopsy related complications.

Conclusions: FNA cytology is more sensitive and accurate than NCB in the diagnosis of abdominal lesions, and also offers more rapid diagnosis. However, the combination of these sampling techniques increases diagnostic sensitivity and occasionally provides more accurate classification of tumours and benign lesions. The techniques should be considered complementary in the investigation of abdominal lesions.

Keywords: fine needle aspiration; cytology; biopsy; abdomen

Abbreviations: FNA, fine needle aspiration; NCB, needle core biopsy; NOS, not otherwise specified

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. F. Pupulim, M. Felce-Dachez, V. Paradis, M.-P. Vullierme, M. Zappa, P. Bedossa, and V. Vilgrain Algorithm for Immediate Cytologic Diagnosis of Hepatic Tumors Am. J. Roentgenol., March 1, 2008; 190(3): W208 - W212. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. C. Lauenstein, K. Salman, R. Morreira, T. Heffron, J. R. Spivey, E. Martinez, P. Sharma, and D. R. Martin Gadolinium-Enhanced MRI for Tumor Surveillance Before Liver Transplantation: Center-Based Experience Am. J. Roentgenol., September 1, 2007; 189(3): 663 - 670. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Marina, M. Gebhardt, L. Teot, and R. Gorlick Biology and Therapeutic Advances for Pediatric Osteosarcoma Oncologist, July 1, 2004; 9(4): 422 - 441. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]