Histiocytosis X. IX. Fine needle aspiration biopsy for differentiation between histiocytosis X and spondylitis.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy was carried out in 35 patients with vertebral lesions in an attempt to differentiate between histiocytosis X and spondylitis. In 7 patients (6 with histiocytosis X and 1 with carcinoma) aspiration biopsy was of decisive diagnostic value. In 26 cases aspiration biopsy supported the diagnosis of spondylitis and in 2 patients no diagnostic information was obtained by aspiration biopsy. In selected cases of bone lesions in the spine, fine needle aspiration biopsy is recommended as an easy and important diagnostic procedure.