[Diagnostic value of cytological investigations in metastatic tumours of the liver: comparison of laparoscopy, histology, and cytology (author's transl)].

Fine needle aspiration biopsy is generally a harmless method if contraindications are considered and provides sufficient tissue for cytological evaluation. The diagnostic value is very high: in 27 cases of metastatic tumours of the liver diagnosed by laparoscopy the diagnosis was confirmed in 26 cases and revised in one case. In a control group of 200 patients with various diffuse liver diseases or morphologically normal findings no false positive results were found. In no case were post-biopsy haemorrhage or other complications observed. Needle biopsy and cytological evaluation should be used with an increased frequency when a malignant tumour of the liver is suspected clinically. After primary localization of suspicious areas by ultrasound or scanning the pick-up rate is high. Laparoscopy with precisely aimed fine needle biopsy is the method for verifying the diagnosis in cases with cytologically negative results which is up to 100% accurate.