Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology: a sensitive diagnostic tool for diagnosis of intra-abdominal lesions

Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology is widely accepted as a safe diagnostic procedure in various neoplastic and non-plastic disorders. This study was conducted to determine the usefulness and diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of intraabdominal lesions. This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Radiology and Imaging, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet, Bangladesh during the period of June 2007 to June 2009. A total 78 patients with intra abdominal lesions were included in this study. Fifty nine (75.6%) were males and 19(24.4%) were females. Out of total aspirates 29(37.2%) were categorized as benign, 41(52.6%) were malignant and 8(10.3%) were non-representative, as it contained only blood. Most of the benign lesions were liver abscess 19(24.4%). A diagnosis of primary malignancy was established in 26(33.3%) and that of secondary in 15(19.2%). The results showed a sensitivity of 89.7%. Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology is a sensitive diagnostic tool in a wide spectrum of intra-abdominal neoplastic and non-neoplastic disorders. It is a simple, safe, rapid and inexpensive technique.