Fine needle aspiration of intra-abdominal masses for cytodiagnosis

Fine needle aspiration cytology was performed in 50 consecutive patients who presented with palpable intra-abdominal mass. Ninety-four per cent (47/50) of the aspirations yielded adequate material for cytological interpretation. Histopathological confirmation was made in all the 50 cases by means of laparotomy and various surgical procedures. Of the 45 proven malignant lesions, fine needle aspirates were diagnosed as positive in 44 (97.33%) cases. There was no false positive result and no complication was encountered.