title: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of bowel lesions under ultrasound guidance: indications and results.
abstract: Twenty-four patients with bowel lesions that could be imaged on a sonogram underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Indications for biopsy included: poor condition of the patient precluding the use of barium studies and/or endoscopy (9 cases) or hindering technically adequate examinations (3); nonspecific radiographic images (6); inability to obtain an adequate biopsy sample during endoscopy (6). The results of biopsy were correct in the 18 cases proven by surgery or autopsy; in the remaining 6 patients, histologic results were considered conclusive, and were later confirmed by clinical, radiographic, and ultrasound follow-up. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy may be considered a simple, rapid, and accurate diagnostic procedure when an alternative approach to the study of gastrointestinal tract lesions is needed.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D014463:Ultrasonography