Aspiration and brush cytology of the liver.

In this study, 1,650 liver aspirates and laparoscopic brushings, representing a wide range of neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions were examined cytologically. Of the 470 cytologic malignancies, only one was a false-positive. The most frequently diagnosed malignant neoplasms were carcinomas of the colon, breast, pancreas, lung, and liver. The overall accuracy rate of cytologic examination was 96%, with a sensitivity of 94%, and a specificity of 100%. Predictive values for both positive and negative results, were high: 100% and 95%, respectively. Reviewing the literature on aspiration cytology of the liver, we found that our results confirmed the findings of others: that cytologic examination of liver aspirates and brushings is a safe, useful, and accurate technique and may obviate tissue biopsy in cases of tumors metastatic to the liver.