The role of immediate cytological evaluation in CT-guided biopsy.

A prospective study of 130 fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) was performed on 110 consecutive patients to assess the contribution of immediate cytological evaluation (ICE). All biopsies were performed under CT guidance using either 20 gauge or 22 gauge aspiration needles. Two distinct patient groups were derived from two hospitals. In one hospital a consultant cytologist was usually present, whereas in the other immediate cytological evaluation was not generally available. Overall, a consultant cytologist was present for 52% of the biopsies. The accuracy of the procedure, the number of needle passes made, the complication rates with and without ICE were assessed for each hospital population group. The overall accuracy, with and without ICE, was 72%. Although slightly fewer specimens were deemed inadequate when ICE was available, this difference did not reach statistical significance.