Ultrasonically guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy of solid masses

Fine needle aspiration biopsy is a highly accurate cytologic technique in the differentiation of benign vs. malignant disease. After careful localization with the ultrasound beam, a 22 gauge 0.6 mm needle is used to obtain four to five cell samples. Seventy percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsies were performed on pancreatic, liver, renal, chest, pelvic, pancreatic nodes, subcutaneous nodules, and other retroperitoneal masses. Ninety-three percent accuracy was obtained with no complications. Studies in four patients with carcinoma of the tail of the pancreas were falsely negative for malignant cells; all four patients had desmoplastic tumors. Complications of hemorrhage, tumor seeding, infection, fistula formation, and pain encountered with other methods and using larger bore needles have not been found with the fine needle technique. It is a safe, accurate method that can be performed as an out-patient procedure.