title: Percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy of intra-abdominal masses.
abstract: Percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsies were performed in 51 patients with various intra-abdominal masses localized by palpation, radiologic studies, ultrasonography or radioisotope scanning. Biopsy specimens were considered positive for malignant disease in 35 (85%) of the 41 patients with such disease, including 26 (96%) of the 27 with metastases. There was one false-positive diagnosis of malignant disease from the biopsy specimens. Surgery became unnecessary as a result of aspiration biopsy in at least 12 patients. One patient showed evidence of intrahepatic bleeding during liver biopsy but recovered spontaneously, and the liver appeared normal at laparotomy 3 weeks later. Aspiration biopsy is an accurate, relatively painless, inexpensive and safe method of establishing a diagnosis of intraabdominal malignant disease. Considerable experience of the cytologist is necessary for good results.
mesh_terms: D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology