title: Transvaginal fine needle aspiration biopsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the role of transvaginal fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in the evaluation of palpable gynecologic masses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transvaginal FNABs from 1994 to 1999 were identified from the files of Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Histologic correlation was obtained using the Pathology Department's computer database. Two pathologists reviewed the pathologic samples. Pertinent clinical information was obtained by reviewing the medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two transvaginal FNABs from 22 patients were studied. The patients' mean age was 59 years (range, 29-84). Most patients (77%) had a previous history of a gynecologic malignancy, and 73% had a previous total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The size of the lesion sampled was provided in 15 cases and ranged from <1 to 5.4 cm in diameter. The location of the mass was reported as follows: vaginal (10 cases), vaginal cuff (5), rectovaginal septum (2), cul-de-sac (1), fornix (1), vaginal apex (1), right side of pelvis (1), and not specified (1). The cytologic diagnoses were: negative for malignancy (10 cases), positive for malignancy (9) and unsatisfactory (3). Most cases (77%) had histologic correlation or clinical follow-up. There was one false negative and no false positive cytologic diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cytologic interpretation of transvaginal FNAB is an effective toolfor the evaluation of palpable pelvic and vaginal masses. Its specificity and sensitivity are 100% and 88%, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Washington University Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Ylagan
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Mutch
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Dávila
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018200:Mixed Tumor, Mullerian / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*