Ultrasound guided fine-needle biopsy of mass lesions affecting the hepatobiliary tract

Ultrasound guided fine-needle biopsy of mass lesions affecting the hepatobiliary tract in 67 patients is reported. A free-hand approach was used without a special biopsy transducer. All aspirates were sufficient and relevant. A correct cytologic diagnosis was reached in 91 per cent of the 57 malignant cases. In addition, malignancy was correctly suggested in 5 cases. In 33 per cent of the cases with unknown primary tumor, cytology determined the origin of the malignancy. No complications occurred.