Efficiency of ultrasound guided aspiration cytology in deep seated lesions - a diagnostic evaluation

BACKGROUND: Deep seated lesions, in the body are always a source of confusion and chaos in clinical surgical practice. Accuracy of guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is potentially efficient, when it is carried out by the experienced practitioner, and approach to the diagnosis is made easy, by – by passing surgical procedures like diagnostic laparotomy and excision. AIMS: To assess the feasibility of guided fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in deep seated lesions. OBJECTIVES: To study the cytological features in accordance with lesions in different organs of body, correlating with age and sex distribution, categorizing the behavior of lesions and studying the statistical structure of various lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study includes 100 Deep seated lesions, detected clinically and radiologically, divided into palpable and non-palpable lesions and appropriate radiological investigations were carried out. A classification was done according to organ involved. Smears were made, routine and special stains were used wherever necessary and cytomorphological features were studied. RESULTS: Maximum number of patients in the study was in 5th decade, Male: Female – 3:1; Most of the lesions were malignant and majority of lesions are observed in Liver (30%). Secondary deposits (metastatic lesions) in Liver were the most common lesion noted. Sensitivity -90%; Specificity – 100%; Positive Predictive Value is 100%; Negative Predictive Value – 60%. CONCLUSION: Guided Fine Needle Aspiration is safe, simple and efficient procedure to reach the door step of accurate diagnosis. Its potential to diagnose the deep seated lesions is evident by its high rates of Sensitivity; Specificity; Diagnostic Accuracy and Positive Predictive Value. Thus, it can be utilized as a standard technique for pre-operative technique for majority of Deep seated lesions.