Journal of Cytology (Jan 2008)
Radiologically guided fine needle aspiration cytology of retroperitoneal and spinal lesions
Abstract
Aim: This study was undertaken to assess the role of image-guided, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of retroperitoneal and spinal lesions. Materials and Methods: Over a period of one year, ultrasonography and computerized tomography-guided FNAC was performed in 55 cases who had presented clinically with signs and symptoms related to the retroperitoneum and spine. Histopathological confirmation was available in 27 out of 55 cases. Results: Of the 55 cases, 39 were males and 16 were females. Malignant and benign lesions accounted for 58.2 and 29.1% respectively. Among the cases on whom radiologically guided FNAC was performed, the spine contributed the largest proportion of cases (32.7%), followed by renal lesions (20%). Among the malignant lesions, renal cell carcinoma was the most commonly found malignancy, followed by metastasis to the spine. In the benign and inflammatory category, tuberculosis of the spine and the lymph nodes was the most common lesion accounting for 68.7% of all cases. On correlating clinical, radiological, and cytologic features, the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of guided FNAC obtained in this study were 97.1, 84.2, and 92.4% respectively. Conclusions: Radiologically guided FNAC is a fairly accurate and safe procedure in diagnosing the most difficult cases in the region of the retroperitoneum and the spine.
