[Echo-guided fine-needle biopsy for the diagnosis of hepatic angioma. A report on 114 cases]

Personal experience with fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) performed in 114 patients (42 males and 72 females) with hepatic angiomas, in whom imaging techniques did not allow a definite diagnosis, is reported. FNAB was made on 57.9% of the cases for atypical US pattern of the nodule, on 52.6% for a previous cancer history, with both conditions on 10.5%. The procedure was carried out by cyto-assistance for collecting material and a rapid stain diagnosis with an average of 2 biopsies per patient. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated with following laparoscopy in 25 cases; surgery in 4 cases; angiography in 6 cases and US follow-up for 1 year at least in 78 cases (1 drop-out).

One false-negative and 4 false-positives were detected with an overall accuracy of 96%. Two minor accidents were observed, due to a profuse bleeding of giant angiomas and resolved with medical care.

Therefore, in case of angiomas larger than 5 cm, the use of laparoscopy after FNAB to control the bleeding and to confirm the diagnosis is suggested.