Ultrasonically guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of retroperitoneal mass lesions.

Ultrasonically-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of retroperitoneal mass lesions was performed in 96 consecutive patients. The puncture was done transperitoneally, guided by a dynamic scanner. The procedure is rapid with a high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. A correct cytological diagnosis was established in 88% of the punctured masses with no false positives. Guided fine needle aspiration biopsy is recommended as an integral part of the ultrasound study of retroperitoneal tumour diagnosis. There were no complications to any of the biopsies and the risk is regarded as minimal.