ABSTRACT
BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a useful method for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aims of our study are to assess diagnostic accuracy of FNA, to define proper indications of FNA for diagnosis of HCC, and to evaluate the complications of FNA. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: To assess diagnostic accuracy we compared the results of preoperative FNA with postoperative pathology in 38 resected cases with primary liver cancer. To define proper indications and complications of FNA, we prospectively followed 138 patients received FNA for their liver tumors which were suspicious of primary liver tumor. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of FNA were 100%, 97%, 100% and 66% respectively. All patients with serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level over 1000 ng/ml were having HCC on FNA result. Among 36 patients with AFP level ranged 15-1000 ng/ml and hypervascular mass on angiography, 96% were having HCC. Among 50 patients with normal AFP level and hypervascular mass on angiography, 92% were having HCC. The major complications after FNA such as hemoperitoneum, pneumothorax, and iatrogenic arterioportal shunt developed in 2%, 2%, and 7% of subjects, respectively. We did not find any case of needle-tract seeding of cancer during a mean 4.7 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although the FNA is an accurate method for diagnosis of HCC, FNA was usually not indicated for patients with serum AFP level over 1000 ng/ml or patients with hypervascular mass on angiography when they were suspected of having primary liver cancer. Major complications were hemoperitoneum, pneumothorax and iatrogenic arterioportal shunt. Iatrogenic arterioportal shunt may influence the efficacy of subsequent transcatheter arterial embolization.
