[The echo-guided fine-needle biopsy of thoracic and abdominal masses]. / Agobiopsia ecoguidata con ago sottile su masse toraciche e addominali.

Five hundred and seventy-two US-guided fine-needle biopsies were performed on 561 patients (1.2 puncture/patient); in two cases only minor complications were observed. The patients were 12 to 86 years old--most of them ranging 40 to 75. In 5.42% of cases FNAB proved inadequate; 1.75% of the diagnoses was questionable, 28.89% was negative, and 63.98% positive. A comparison with histology was possible in 218 cases: 2 false positives and 5 false negatives were observed. The low rate of false-positive findings demonstrates US-guided FNAB to have high positive predictive value. The method had 95% sensitivity, 98.4% specificity and 84.3% accuracy. The high reliability of FNAB depends on the possibility of centering the lesion through the direct US visualization of the needle tip. This characteristic, together with the presence of the cytologist, who immediately evaluates the aspirated material, helps reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies and, consequently, complications.

[Reliability of cytodiagnosis from washings and free fluid in the staging and follow-up of ovarian tumors]. / Affidabilità della citodiagnostica su washings e free fluid nella stadiazione e nel follow-up dei tumori ovarici.

181 diagnostic correlations between endocelomatic free-fluid or washing cytology and histological findings during staging or follow-up of patients suffering from ovarian cancer have been assessed. On the basis of the evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of endocelomatic cytology, its importance in diagnostic protocols for evaluating the presence or persistence of disease is reiterated.

[Cytodiagnosis of suspect lesions of the esophagus and stomach. Histocytological correlations in 435 cases]. / La citodiagnosi di lesioni sospette dell'esofago e dello stomaco. Correlazioni cito-istologiche di 435 casi.

This report analyses the results obtained using endoscopic cytodiagnosis in upper gastrointestinal lesions. Cytological and bioptic samples were taken from 435 lesions, in 435 patients. Specificity was 0.99% and sensitivity 0.9%. The accuracy of the endoscopic sampling and in preparing the cytological slides had a decisive influence on the obtaining of these results. The time required for a good cytological sample is the same as required for a biopsy. As employed the cytodiagnosis of esophago-gastric lesions was really useful, and indeed essential in diffuse mucosal lesions.

The fine needle aspiration cytodiagnosis of masses in major salivary glands. Cyto-histological correlations in 65 cases.

In this study the authors report data regarding 65 cases of FNAC in major salivary glands masses, in which this method provided specific and sensitive data for the presence or absence of tumors, though in a more limited way, in order to precise the oncological type. In the routine use of the method it is possible to appreciate its high versatility and accuracy; this is a great aid in the indispensable mutual understanding between the surgeon and the pathologist. All this brings a more rational "management" of the patients, considering that the eventual surgical demolition in this region must be pondered taking also the functional, aesthetic and psychologic effects induced into account.

[Thin-needle aspiration cytology of palpable lymph nodes. Analysis of 702 consecutive cases]. / La citologia per aspirazione con ago sottile di linfonodi palpabili. Analisi di 702 casi consecutivi.

Seven-hundred-two needle aspirates were taken from palpable lymph nodes between january 1982 and june 1987. Cytohistological correlation in about 70% of the preparations showed that the technique is capable of detecting neoplastic cells in 99% of metastases and in 90% of lymphoma cases. Certain technical aspects of smear preparation are pointed out with a view to reducing the percentage of inadequate samples (14% in the present series) and the position of the technique among other diagnostic procedures is discussed, with evaluation of advantages and limitations.