Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of malignant tumours of the abdomen.

Our initial experience of 50 patients who underwent fine-needle aspiration biopsy for suspected abdominal malignant disease confirms the safety and effectiveness of the technique. A positive diagnosis of malignant tumour was made in 36 out of 42 patients who were finally shown to have malignant disease. The correct diagnosis was made on 13 out of 17 patients with a pancreatic tumour; in 17 out of 17 with a liver tumour; in 3 out of 3 with renal masses; and in 3 out of 5 with other malignant lesions. Ultrasound was used for localization of the aspiration site in 38 patients, angiography in 11 patients and direct puncture in 2. During the biopsy of 55 sites, the needle was inserted into the abdomen 190 times and the only significant complication was the development of retroperitoneal haematoma in 2 patients.