Ultrasonically guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of renal masses

A consecutive series of 301 ultrasonically guided fine needle aspiration biopsies of renal masses was reviewed. The retrieval rate was 95 per cent and a correct cytological diagnosis was established in 82 per cent of the cases. There were 14 false positive aspirates, for a predictive value of a malignant aspirate of only 93 per cent. All false positive results were misinterpreted as relatively well differentiated adenocarcinoma. We conclude that renal fine needle aspiration biopsy may add information but the risk of a false positive finding must always be considered.