Tumor seeding in ocular fine needle aspiration biopsy

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of tumor cell seeding in needle tracks following fine needle aspiration biopsy of intraocular tumors. Sixteen biopsies were performed in four enucleated globes (3 with retinoblastoma and 1 with choroidal melanoma). The biopsies were done immediately after surgery and the needle tracks from the pars plana region were serially sectioned for histological examination. Clusters of tumor cells were seen within six of the 11 needle tracks that could be histologically identified.