Fine needle aspiration of the liver.

Abstract

A total of 81 transhepatic fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies were performed on 78 patients to rule out focal or diffuse neoplastic disease; 87.6% were performed with ultrasound guidance, 6.1% with CT guidance, 3.7% intraoperatively and 1 using fluoroscopy during percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. Smears of the aspirated samples were cytologically evaluated with clinical and radiologic correlation; in addition, histologic examination of cell blocks was performed in 46% of the cases, ultrastructural examination in 34% of the cases and peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining in 3 cases. Ultrastructural definition of the type of malignancy was possible in 24 cases (29%). Minor complications in two patients were pain and tenderness at the puncture site. The sensitivity for malignancy was 91%, the specificity was 100%, the predictive value of positive results was 100%, and the predictive value of negative results was 73%. This series demonstrates that FNA biopsy with ultrasound guidance can provide an accurate diagnosis of malignancy and may preempt a lengthy workup in the search for a primary tumor.

• Authors: M M Pinto, N A Avila, C I Heller, E M Criscuolo
• Journal: Acta cytologica (Acta Cytol) 1988 Jan-Feb Vol. 32 Issue 1 Pg. 15-21 ISSN: 0001-5547 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 2827416 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (pathology)
• Aged
• Biopsy, Needle (methods)
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (pathology)
• Diagnostic Errors
• False Negative Reactions
• Female
• Humans
• Liver (pathology)
• Liver Neoplasms (diagnosis, pathology, secondary)
• Male
• Middle Aged