Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Retroperitoneal Masses Under Radiological Guidance

Introduction: Advances in diagnostic radiologic techniqueshas made Fine needle aspiration cytology more specificespecially in hard to access areas like retroperitoneum.Rapid enlargement of tumors occur before clinical signs andsymptoms develop in retroperitoneal area. Present study wasundertaken to study the utility and efficacy of FNAC in earlydiagnosis of neoplastic and nonneoplastic retroperitonealmasses, to study the cytomorphology and diagnostic accuracyof FNAC with respect to tissue diagnosis wherever possible.Material and methods: Study was done in Indira GandhiGovernment Medical College, Nagpur on 70 patients withdiagnosed retroperitoneal masses on radiology either by CTor USG over a period of 2 years. Appropriate staining wasdone and results were compared to histopathology whereveravailable. No major complications occurred during theprocedure or post procedure period. Results were analysed todetermine sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic efficacy of guidedFNAC.Results: Adequate cellular material was obtained in 66cases to study cytomorphology. 46(65.72%) retroperitonealmasses were malignant. 3(4.28%) were benign while 14(20%)were inflammatory. 3 (4.28%)cases were suspicious formalignancy. Cytology was correlated with histopathologicaldiagnosis in all 39 cases where tissue diagnosis was available.Interpretation: No major complications were seen during theprocedure or post FNAC period. Statistical analysis showedsensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy were 100% inthese cases in the present study.Conclusion: FNAC is advantageous in terms of accuracy,rapidity, safety and convenience if done in close cooperationwith radiologist and clinicians. Performed as an OPDprocedure, diagnosis obtained in 24 hours helps to avoidsurgical laparotomy and numerous preoperative investigationsin advanced and inoperable cases and inflammatory lesions.