[Comparative study of fine needle aspiration and large caliber needle biopsy under echographic control for the...

The aim of this study was to compare the results of fine needle aspiration (22 G) with large caliber needle biopsy (18 G) in patients suspected of having abdominal malignancy. From November 1988 to December 1989, 73 patients aged 32 to 78 years (mean 66 years), suspected sonographically of having hepatic malignancy (66 cases) or extrahepatic tumors (7 cases), underwent ultrasonography guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration (22 G) and biopsy with a large caliber needle (18 G). There were no complications. Overall sensitivity for diagnosis of malignancy was significantly better (p less than 0.01) with 18 G needle biopsies (91.2 percent) than with fine needle cytology (71.4 percent). Specificity was 100 percent. The distinction between primary and secondary malignant tumor was possible in 87.5 percent with the large caliber needle and in only 42.9 percent with the fine needle (p less than 0.001). Histological findings were adequate hepatic metastases in 86.5 percent with the 18 gauge needle and in 51.4 percent with the 22 gauge needle (p less than 0.001). In the 7 extra-hepatic tumors, the 18 G biopsy was always positive whereas fine needle cytology was positive in only 5 out of 7 cases. Correct diagnosis for benign diseases was possible in 7 out of 10 cases with the large caliber needle whereas the fine needle cytology was always negative. These results show the superiority of large caliber needle (18 G) compared to fine needle (22 G) guided punction for both diagnosis of malignancy and origin of the tumor. Complications did not occur more frequently than with fine caliber needles.