Histological sampling with a 23 gauge modified Menghini needle

A 23 gauge modified Menghini (Surecut) needle biopsy technique for obtaining tissue core biopsies was compared with the conventional fine needle aspiration biopsy technique in the diagnosis of ultrasonically detected abdominal mass lesions. In 30 consecutive cases (19 malignant and 11 benign), adequate material for histological examination was obtained in 87% and for cytological examination in 97%. The diagnostic accuracy with respect to malignancy was 84% for histology and 89% for cytology. The predictive value of malignancy was 100% in both. The histological material provided additional information in four cases of malignancy, concerning the type and origin of the tumours, and in nine cases of benign lesions, indicating the type of lesion that appeared as a tumourlike mass in the ultrasound study. The Surecut needle biopsy has been found valuable in obtaining histological material from abdominal mass lesions and may supplement or even replace the fine needle aspiration biopsy in such lesions.