title: The Role of Fine Needle Aspiration of Orbital Lesions: A Case Series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper analyzes a series of ultrasound (US)-guided orbital fine needle aspirations (FNAs) which provide diagnostic information that cytopathologists approaching orbital lesions for the first time can find useful and underlines the importance of teamwork.
  
  
  METHODS
  The investigators retrospectively obtained data from 24 consecutive orbital FNAs. For all patients, a complete clinicoradiological database was created. FNAs were performed under US guidance with 25-gauge needles and an aspiration biopsy syringe gun, and sent to the Department of Pathology for examination and data management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 54 years. Imaging studies included US, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans; 9 lesions involved the right orbit and 15 the left orbit. The mean lesion size was 23.6 ± 7.2 mm. After microscopic examination, 7 smears were labeled as 'nondiagnostic', while in 17 cases a definitive diagnosis was proposed, which always proved to be correct (70.8%, specificity = 100%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The investigators believe that FNA biopsy of orbital masses is a necessary step; its weaknesses lie in the particularly delicate site of sampling and the extreme heterogeneity of lesions. Nevertheless, when orbital FNA is performed within a well-coordinated multidisciplinary team, it is a powerful tool that can be used to define the most appropriate management of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology, University Milano-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pagni
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaconi
authors.forename: Andrew James
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ambrogio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brenna
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leoni
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leni
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vacirca
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sozzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult