Fine needle aspiration cytology of anterior mediastinal masses.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the study is to evaluate the computed tomography (CT)-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of anterior mediastinal mass as a diagnostic procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all 135 cases, the material was obtained by CT-guided FNAC technique followed by staining with Papanicolaou and May-Grunwald-Giemsa stains. The histological material was obtained by needle biopsies, wedge biopsies and resection specimens. Immunohistochemical stains were used to confirm diagnosis in selected cases. RESULTS: Among 135 cases, cytohistology correlation was found in 92 cases. Correct typing was done in 53.33% cases. No correlation was found in 14.81% cases. Material was unsatisfactory in 18.51% cases. The diagnostic accuracy and positive predictive values were 85.71% and 78.26%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although there are some limitations, most lesions of the anterior mediastinum can be diagnosed on FNAC.