Rare complications after transabdominal fine needle aspiration.

Fine needle aspiration is emerging as a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of tumor masses. This technique provides high diagnostic yield associated with only minimal side effects. Of 500 transabdominal aspirations conducted in our hospital over an 8-year period we have experienced four cases of unusual complications after this procedure. These included bile peritonitis, localized peritonitis and infection, perforation of small bowel, and pneumothorax. The last three cases have not yet been described in the literature as complications of transabdominal aspiration. Analysis of these complications illustrate the importance of careful patient selection and meticulous attention to the proper procedure.